Having just returned from Norway, Ashley Eriksmoen spoke to the Cerritos Students Association of Woodworkers on Sunday about what she learned during her stay.

Eriksmoen, who studied fine working with James Krenov at the College of the Redwood before earning a masters in furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, displayed her latest work during a PowerPoint presentation that also displayed what she walked away with during her two month trip.

“I first went to Orange Coast College,” she said, “and wanted to be an engineering geologist but I wanted a career that was technically competent.”

She said that when she transferred to College of the Redwood she did want major in woodworking and that unfortunately ended up doing only three projects.

During her recent trip to Norway, Eriksmoen said that one of the things that she learned was what’s called loft building in which wood material is cut with an ax that included buildings and homes.

For Carl Stammerjohn, woodworking instructor, it was important for her to speak to the members of the Woodworking Club.

“Eriksmoen brought something to share with the students,” he said.

However, for Carlos Sanchez, woodworking instructor, it was more than just an artist sharing what he or she has gotten out of woodworking.

“This was an appreciation,” he commented, “and being able to express oneself through nature in a piece of furniture.”

In addition, Sanchez said that he hopes that with the presentation from Eriksmoen it will promote ideas within the Cerritos Students Association of Woodworkers and to promote the club on campus.