The grand opening of Board & Brush, a brand new DIY woodworking studio on College Avenue, set a unique milestone in the Fort Collins community this past Friday. This workshop specializes in providing instructor-based studio classes where you can hone your woodworking skills. 

The grand opening Board & Brush event hosted a preview and demonstration for attendees to see what services they offer, to see the new studio and to see the decorative woodwork. The business also included gift bags for the first 30 people that arrived on their big night as a way to thank the community.  

Board & Brush is a place where anyone can learn how to create specialized wood signs, with over 400 possible designs. 

“We take everyone through the steps,” said Rachael Roumaya, co-owner of Board & Brush in Fort Collins. “This includes taking a raw piece of wood, distressing it, staining it and stenciling it with their own personal style.” 

These classes help instill confidence and encouragement to embrace DIY projects.” – Rachael Roumaya, co-owner of Board & Brush in Fort Collins

Rachael Roumaya operates Board & Brush along with her husband, Brad Roumaya, and the two have lived in Fort Collins for two years. They wanted this workshop to be a way for them to give back to the community of Fort Collins. 

Board & Brush hosts workshops that are around three hours long and are open to anyone who is looking for a weekend night out or a date night. They serve beer and wine to make the evening more relaxing as people make their next home decor piece. 

What makes Board & Brush so unique is the confidence they instill into the community of Fort Collins. DIY projects and studios like Board & Brush give people a place to be creative and learn new skills. 

“A lot of people who have come in are women that have never held a power tool before, and these classes help instill confidence and encouragement to embrace DIY projects,” Rachel Roumaya said. 

The Board & Brush staff is also looking forward to the upcoming community engagement as well, especially since this is its first Fort Collins location. 

“I am excited to be a part of this,” said Katie Zapp, an employee at Board & Brush. “This is unique to the community and something we do not have yet. It gives you a sense of empowerment when creating a project and something to hang in your home.”

Board & Brush hosts weekend classes that go from 6:30-9:30 p.m. 

One of the rewarding aspects of Board & Brush is that people who come to the classes actually get to keep the products they make. 

“Everyone gets to leave with their own sign, and we want people to have a great experience,” Brad Roumaya said. “Come in for a few hours, have some wine and beer, listen to some music.” 

Board & Brush hosts public workshops every weekend, with some themed workshops during the holiday season. Their next workshops will be held this upcoming weekend, and reservations can be made on their website. 

Sam Sedoryk can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @samsedoryk.