Harold Callen is a retired carpenter. He now teaches kids the art of woodworking from his home in New Palestine. Callen likes to use scrap wood to make useful items like this kitchen board.
NEW PALESTINE — When Harold Callan seeks a random chunk of wood, he sees infinite possibilities.
The experienced woodsmith has built a number of things over the years, and is now sharing his expertise with others.
The New Palestine man teaches students the art of woodworking in a 14-by-20-foot woodshop he built in his backyard.
“I really enjoy communicating with the kids and helping them think through their projects. They really seem to catch on,” he said.
Callan was nudged into teaching three years ago by Jamie Potter, whose three teenage kids were taking piano lessons from Callan’s wife Jackie in their home.
“She asked me one day if I could teach woodworking to her kids, and I said ‘Why not,’” he recalled.
Maddy, Drew and Jack Potter have since built intricate wood flowers and keepsake boxes that would make any high school woodshop teacher proud.
“He’s done such a great job with us. He’s such a great mentor and genuinely cares about his students,” said Maddy, 18, who recently graduated from New Palestine High School.
Callan, 71, is happy to be spending his post-retirement years doing something he loves.
He spent the majority of his career as a carpenter after an initial stint serving as a church pastor in his hometown of Kansas City, Mo.
Callan realized the clergy wasn’t the best fit for him, so he turned to carpentry in 1989. Soon he was building cabinetry, finishing basements and remodeling kitchens, and spent some time doing trim work on yachts in New Orleans.
Retired since 2016, he now spends his time teaching others the tricks of the trade. He currently has about nine students, but is open to taking on more of all ages and skill levels.
The floor of his sunny yellow workshop is covered in a thin layer of sawdust, remnants of an assortment of projects his students have done in recent days.
Most of his students start out using a scroll saw to carve an intricate flower out of wood, then work their way up to other tools.
“I teach safety first and foremost,” said Callan, who charges $15 an hour to teach his trade.
He once mentored a teen who created a convertible stand-up desk that won a statewide student craftsmanship contest.
“I could advise and teach him and make sure he was working safely but not perform the work,” Callan recalled.
He’s also open to talking his friends through how to do woodworking projects, like building a basic entertainment center or removing and installing wood floors.
“People say, ‘Can you build this for me?’ and I say ‘How about you come over and I’ll help you build it,” he said.
Callan’s love for woodworking got a serious boost on a road trip through Berea, Ky., where he happened upon a roadside building where the state allows local artisans to display their crafts.
Callan was amazed at the quality of wood craftsmanship he saw.
“When we got back on the road I told my wife I’d love to bring my skills to that level,” he said.
She started searching for ways for her husband to pursue his passion, and came upon the Marc Adams School of Woodworking 20 miles away in Franklin.
Callan started taking lessons there in 2005 and soon rose to the rank of assistant. He also earned a master’s of woodworking certificate through the prestigious school.
He also puts his skills to work around his house, where he’s completely remodeled the kitchen and bathroom and all the trim, by adding hickory woodwork to reflect an arts and crafts style.
He’s also made some intricately-detailed lamps and tables and is now working on a bookshelf for his wife.
He encourages those who have never done woodworking to give it a try.
“A lot of people underestimate their ability to do something,” said the teacher. “A lot of them can do way more than they think.”
Such was the case for Maddy, who is no longer taking piano lessons but still takes woodworking lessons from Callan when she can.
Her experience with woodworking has taught her the value of trying something new.
“I never thought I’d be able to make a (memory) box or a rose out of wood, but it’s been such a great experience,” she said.
