The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The master craftsman â€" who carved African drums, masks and canoes â€" let his grandson play with his leftover woodchips. ii Addico fondly remembers the Ntime he spent with his grandfaâ€" ther as a child growing up in western Ghana. "He would give me sandpaper to sand the woodchips," the 34â€"yearâ€"old Waterloo resident recalled. "And when he was less busy, he would tell me stories about the craft, about the work, and for me that‘s the most amazing thing." Although his grandfather died when Addico was young, he carried on in the family tradition of woodworking. _ "It‘s something that 1 do with all my heart, so even though 1 wanted to be an accountant, my dad and my headmasâ€" ter switched me into art because they knew I was so good at it," he said. Addico went on to train as an apprentice at the Ghana National Arts and Culture Centre for seven years, and then got a diploma in arts. With his schooling behind him, Addico moved to a small tourist village in Ghana, where he set up a small shop on the beach to sell his handcrafted masks and sculptures. "It is a nice village that has traditionâ€" al drumming and dancing which attracts a lot of tourists," he said. Artist tells story with carvings By Jennirer OrMsroN _ _ Chronicle Staff Love your floor. Get the whole house floored at End Of The Roll prices! Local artist Nii Addico‘s Africanâ€"inspired carvings will be featured at Holly Oak Books and Gifts, 24 Regina St. N., on April 26â€"27. Below, Addico‘s work is on display in his Waterloo basement. For information, go to www.creationafrica.com. As it turned out, one of the Canadian tourists he met there was a Waterloo native, Bronwyn Erion, who later became his wife. In 2005, he moved here to start a new life. "To fitâ€"in in a place takes a while, and I understand," he said. That‘s why he took a job making cabinets and furniture when he first arrived in the area. But now his focus is Loc shifting to his art, which he does out of a small space in his basement. Now that the warm weather has arrived though, he takes his chisel into his backyard to create intricately carved masks and sculptures out of Canadian woods, including maple, oak and walâ€" nut. "It‘s pretty good because I enjoy what I‘m doing, and I‘m so blessed that someone can see my artwork and appreciate it â€" that alone brings joy to my soul," he said. _His carvings have been featured in several local studio tours, the Kitchener Kitchener‘s largest inventory of laminate, vinyl, carpet, hardwood, tile, area rugs + more! LIFESTYLE ".. I create from my heart. I put energy in it." â€"Nii Addico Local artist public library and the Kitchenerâ€"Waterâ€" loo Art Gallery‘s Black and Gold Gala. A collection of the artist‘s new pieces will be on display at Holly Oak Books and Gifts, 24 Regina St. N., in Waterloo, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunâ€" age 000 day from noon to 5 p.m. Mn ePhis 1. rrige "This is a great opportunity to see and to learn about other culâ€" tures and to learn about different histories that transcend boundaries, which applies to everyone on this earth," he said. « He has also set up a studio in his basement, where customers can come and see his creations, which are inspired by the African history and stoâ€" ries that have been passed down through his family. "My stuff is really unique because I create from my. heart," he said. "I put my energy in it. _ _ 0 "And whatever I create tells a story." The show and sale, called Creation Africa, will feature Addico‘s carvings as well as fairâ€" trade jewelry. JENNMIFER ORMSTON PHOTOS The spring sale of pottery by the Waterloo Potters‘ Workshop, which is celebrating its 40th anniverâ€" sary as an active nonâ€"profit guild, runs April 25â€"27. There is sure to be an interesting piece perfect for that wedding, shower, birthday or personal gift, or for your own pleasure. _ The event goes Friday from 1 p.m.â€"9:30 p.m., Satâ€" urday from 10 a.m.â€"5 p.m. and Sunday from noonâ€" 4 p.m. at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, 101 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo. The fourth annual There‘s No Place Like Home week comes to Sir John A. Macdonald secondary school April 28 to May 2 in order to raise both awareness and funds to address the regional chalâ€" lenges of affordable housing. Right now, there are 4,000 families waiting for subsidized housing in Waterloo Region. The region has been a leader in funding affordable housing projects, however, there are still about 10,000 indiâ€" viduals waiting for a decent place to live. SJAM is aware of students who struggle with their education because of unstable housing. â€" All funds will go to Heartwood, a charitable organization established to make a change in the local housing crisis. _ _______ _ Sm Admission and parking are free. Cash, cheque, Interac, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For information go to www.waterloopotters.ca. Please join in the There‘s No Place Like Home auction, which will be held on April 30 from 6:45â€" 9:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. There will also be a performance by magician, illusionist and Guinâ€" ness World Recard holder Scott Hammell as well as a silent and live auction. For more information call 519â€"880â€"9979 or visit www.sjiam.wrdsb.on.ca. Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region wants your attendance to celebrate the long awaited spring weather, and your help to raise money for women and children escaping domestic violence. You can easily do both, just by attending an enjoyable event, Music in Bloom, on April 27 at noon. * The perfect outing for an early Mother‘s Day celeâ€" bration, Music in Bloom is a tasteful blend of music and flora. You‘ll enjoy a lunch buffet and a cash bar while listening to the music stylings of the Royal City Big Band. Tickets are $25 per person, and can be purchased at Grobe Nursery and Sheridan Nurseries. You can also call Women‘s Crisis Services for tickets at 519â€" 653â€"2289, ext. 235. _ Music in Bloom takes place at St. George Banquet Hall at 665 King St. N. in Waterloo. â€" â€" No place like home Potters‘ spring sale WATERLOO CHRONICLE * Wednesday, April 23, 2008 » 13 Music in Bloom Kitchener 50 Victoria St N 519.570.2722 SPECIAL FINANCING AVAILABLE oac endoftheroll.com