In the King James Version of the Holy Bible, Psalm Chapter 139, Verse 13 reads: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
It’s the main axiom for Hopkinsville’s “Wonderfully Made Workshop,” which according to founder Stephanie Harton officially earned its non-profit status this past August.
Through an update with the Hopkinsville Rotary Club Tuesday afternoon, Harton reflected on how an all-inclusive service program — one designed to give meaningful work to special needs students and adults — has blossomed in the last two years, spawning from an idea in December 2022, and now manifesting into something so popular, there is a demand for more help, more donated heirlooms.
A segment from David Muir’s “Made in America” on Augusta Training Shop, she said, got the gears truly turning — and an arts collaboration with Pennyroyal Arts Council’s Margaret Prim turned costume jewelry into a Christmas ornament.
Harton noted that relationships with 100 Women Who Care, Trace Industries, Hands of Hope, Christian County Special Olympics, Christian County High School, Hopkinsville High School, University Heights Academy, the Alhambra Theatre and so many others have led to new designs for ornaments and relief-medium Christmas trees in the last two years — some of them award-winning and drawing major attention.
With so many donations pouring in, she added that sorting parties have had to be held — tubs of jewels and trinkets and beads and stones being divided by size, shape, color and any other sensible art function.
While collaborators help make the schemes and templates, it’s those with special needs, she said, who do almost all of final touches on the artistic side — and nearly 1,000 different pieces have been put together since this program’s inception.
One such piece, called the “Electric Tree,” has a special story.
Harton also showcased two trees that have been specifically designed and constructed for country music stars Dolly Parton and Chris Stapleton, and there is a growing hope within the organization to be able to deliver them in person, as warm and inviting way to say “thanks” for their lifetime support of good causes.
Meanwhile, Christian County has its own stars — as Brittney, Quincy and Jonathan are three proud individuals who have spent countless hours putting their crafting skills to the test.
Jana Montes, of Christian County High School, said Wonderfully Made Workshop not only helps with community-based instruction, but helps create a better idea of independent living for those with special needs — improving on skills that can actually be used in the real world.
Wonderfully Made Workshop merchandise was most recently made available at the Christmas Bazaar, and it can regularly be found not only at the Alhambra Theatre, but also through Gracious Me, and online through Facebook and Instagram. Staton Art and Framing will give 15% off the framing of Wonderfully Made Workshop Pieces.
What ways can the public help? Well:
+ One can donate jewelry, beads, buttons and embellishments of all kinds to the Hopkinsville YMCA, from 8:30 AM until 3 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays at the Alhambra Theatre, as well as to 525 Country Club Lane.
+ One can also volunteer time, or suggest individuals who might be interested in participating, by email to wmworkshop2033@yahoo.com.
