Megan Joyce
Executive Producer of the Ram Review
At NCHS, Senior Blake Garrity is known for his role on the Varsity football team’s offensive line, his laid-back personality, and his trademark red hair.
But for his artistic abilities? Not so much. However, with word of his website starting to get around, all of that may be about to change.
Click on Blake’s website, and you’ll see slideshows of perfectly wooded guitars, multicolored bowls, robots, and much more, all designed by Blake himself. Blake’s interest in creation and invention dates back to his elementary school years. “In fourth grade, one of my friends invited me to participate in a woodworking class, over at ‘The Woodworker’s Club’ in Norwalk, CT,” he said. “I ended up signing up for classes myself, and continued solely with woodworking for a couple of years.”
It wasn’t long, however, before Blake’s interests started to branch out, and other forms of art caught his eye. “I can now make projects out of many materials, including wood, stone, glass, paper, and metal. To be successful in art, I feel that it is important to display patience and creativity,” he said.
If there is one thing Blake has a lot of, it’s creativity. In addition to working on multiple art projects, he has generated several inventions on the side. “Throughout high school, I have built a hovercraft, pneumatic potato cannon, and a parabolic solar cooker,” he said.
Career and Technical Department Chair Jim Zambarano has taught Blake in several of the engineering courses offered at the high school and is now his independent study advisor. Mr. Zambarano indicates that he’s impressed by Blake’s ability to think outside of the box.“He is always coming to me with original ideas for projects”, said Mr. Zambarano. “In engineering, I give my class problems to solve, and Blake is always one to come up with a unique solution.”
Like many other artists, Blake has his own workshop in his basement, fully equipped with worktables, machines, and tools necessary for him to complete his projects. “I usually spend about 12 hours a week on my artwork,” he said.
He also notes the difficulty of balancing his schedule, already packed full with football practice, his position as captain, shot put and discus thrower on the boys indoor track team, and schoolwork. “It can be challenging to balance sports and art sometimes,” Blake said. “However, I always make sure that sports come first, and I will complete my art projects whenever I can find the time.”
Perhaps the most impressive part about Blake’s creative abilities is that he does not excel in just one art form; rather, he is multitalented in the fields of photography, glassblowing, metalsmithing, woodworking, stone turning, and ceramics.
For those who are not familiar with some of his more unique artistic interests, Blake provides some clarification. “In glassblowing, you use a metal pipe to collect molten glass. You can then use giant tweezers to manipulate the glass. In stone turning, you use a lathe which spins the stone, and then you can carve the stone with chisels.”
“Over the summer, I thought that it would be a good idea to put together a website that would serve as a forum to show off all of my work,” said Blake. “In the long-term, I also figured that maybe it would help me to start a business on the side.”
Though so far he has only been hired by his aunt, having his own business is, “Something [he’s] open to doing in the future.” He plans to major in engineering, but will “continue with [his]projects in college, if time permits.”
Blake is currently working on an independent study in hopes of placing at the Connecticut State Electrathon Competition, which will take place in the spring. “It’s a competition where you build an electric vehicle from scratch,” Blake said. “You have an hour to drive your vehicle as fast as you can without it running out of power.”
Blake is no stranger to these kinds of state competitions. “My engineering team built a robot last spring, and we reached the quarterfinals of the Connecticut State Vex Robotics Competition,” he said.
Mr. Zamabarano praises Blake’s accomplishments. “He’s always been a self-starter and that’s special,” he said.
For Blake, artwork is just one of his many hobbies.“I would love to continue with my art maybe after I retire. For now, it’s just something I enjoy doing in my free time.”
