Fred Thomas Middle School Welcomes Surfboard Designer to Art Class

Students at Fred Thomas Middle School recently had the chance to connect with a local artist through an engaging class presentation. Ian Roth, of IMR Concepts, stopped by the school over the course of two days, to share the process of making and designing surfboards. The presentation was part of the students’ art class and created a unique way to connect art and design to their hometown here at the beach.

Mr. Roth covered everything from the initial shaping of the foam board to painting and glassing the boards. Students were able to see the tools utilized, and photos of Ian’s workspace during his creative process, and were able to ask questions about his background experience, business model, and overall, what it’s like being a surfboard designer/creator. The middle schoolers will now move into a project, where they will have opportunity to work as a group and design their own surfboards. They’ll draw out their initial concepts and then use cardboard materials to cut out and paint a finished product!