Columbus Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows: Columbus Fall Show is Almost Here!

Meet Gary Board from A Board and a Dream…

Hello, My name is Gary Board and I have been interested in woodworking for most of my life, but I got away from it for a long time when I was working a corporate job. After almost 30 years in that world I finally had enough, and A Board and a Dream was born. I have only been doing this as a business since the beginning of 2025. This will be my first show, so I am excited and nervous about it all at the same time.

The inspiration for my one-off pieces is to find the beauty in things that would normally be discarded, like recycling pallet wood or using off-cuts from the lumber yard that some might consider scrap. When making pieces for specific clients, I want to help them bring their vision to life and give them the best piece possible. I also make epoxy resin crafts, and even that started out as a way to use resin that was left over from my charcuterie board.

I first got into woodworking doing projects with my dad as a kid. The interest was fed through the years watching Norm Abram on “The New Yankee Workshop” until I finally started making pieces for family and friends. I discovered my talent just by trying it. My first project was a toy box for my nephew, and when people liked it I realized I might be able to be good at it. My creative process is to look at a specific material and see what it lends itself to, and then I follow that vision until it comes to life.

In 5 years I hope to be doing more custom work for clients, but still making one-of-a-kind pieces that I ship all around the world. The message behind my work is that it is never too late to follow a dream. I feel lucky to be able to do this full time, so I put everything into my work so I can continue to do so.

Meet Betsy Lenihan from Ceramic Artist & Owner of Lazy Dog Ceramics...

The love I have for ceramics began in the early 1980s, watching my paternal grandmother and great aunt paint pieces. As a teenager, I was captivated by my mother’s intricate Old World-style Santa figurines, which sparked my own passion for the craft. However, life took me in other directions—college, grad school, marriage, career shifts, and more—leading to a 20-year break from ceramics. In 2021, during the pandemic, I rediscovered my love for painting after picking up a Santa or two, and I haven't looked back since.

Over the next two years, I dedicated myself to mastering acrylics on bisque and antique techniques, inspired by the methods I had watched my mother use years before. With the encouragement of friends and my husband, I took the next step in late 2023 by launching Lazy Dog Ceramics. The business focuses on producing high-quality finished pieces while supporting a cause close to my heart—local dog rescue organizations. As passionate animal lovers, my husband and I channel a portion of all proceeds toward helping rescue efforts. With no children, our furry family members are our babies.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Organizational Communications and an MBA with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Leadership. My 25-year career in business strategy and tech leadership has been fulfilling, but ceramics serves as my creative outlet and therapy. Looking ahead, I plan to retire in 10 years and fully dedicate myself to ceramics.

Over the few years, I have immersed myself in learning, with guidance from my mentors. Through them, I have expanded my knowledge of glazing, painting techniques, kilns, and slip casting. In the next 5 years, I look forward to refining techniques, learning new techniques, and continuing my passion and expertise in ceramics—excited for the creative journey ahead.