Fusion Cafe to showcase model weaponry display

Aaron Bouma

A local artist and military expert will be displaying some of his work at Fusion Cafe in Woodstock's downtown just in time for Remembrance Day. Aaron Bouma, 22, of Jacksontown, plans to show some of the wooden model guns he has carved from scratch at Fusion from November 1st to November 12th. The display will feature approximately twelve model guns, only a handful of nearly 240 models carved by Woodstock's military expert.

Aaron suffers from Aspergers syndrome, which is a form of autism. A part of living with Aspergers is that a person's interests are centred around a few main things. Aaron does not let this disability keep him down. In fact, he attempts to see it as more of an ability than a disability. Not only is he passionate about the armed forces, but he is a part of a group called Inclusion Ambassadors, which seeks to promote inclusion opportunities for people living with disabilities.

Aaron's inventory of model weapons includes guns used by the Canadian and British armed forces, as well as American, German, Russian, and Chinese weapons. He has models from a total of over thirty countries. Aaron is not only a wealth of knowledge with regards to weapons. He has been researching the armed forces in great depth for a number of years.

Aaron Bouma (left) is seen here explaining a display of some of his model guns at the RCMP Musical Ride in Woodstock in August. 

A meet and greet upon the opening of the exhibit at Fusion will be held at Fusion from 6 pm to 8 pm. This will allow visitors to meet and get to know Aaron and learn more about his work. The exhibit will remain at Fusion for eleven more days after.