Lake Tahoe man now the Master Maker, Kingman wins Season 3 of Making It
Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/28/2021 - 6:02pm
In what could be the happiest and kindest competition show on television, the third season of Making It ended Thursday, with a Lake Tahoe man taking home the coveted title of Master Maker and a check for $100,000.
Adam Kingman, a 2010 Whittell High School graduate, brought home top honors from the show that showcased his artistic and creative MacGyver-like skills which are blended with repurposing and crafting.
He rose to the top early on during the season that was capped off with the popular Shed Shack day. Each of the remaining four contestants was given a shed and they were tasked with creating an individual retreat.
This was Kingman's favorite project though he says he loved them all.
"I always wanted to be an architect and I loved knocking out the walls and created a cabin space," said Adam who studied Industrial Design at the University of Washington. "It was like something you'd find tucked away in Tahoe."
Kingman was in Michigan for the viewing of the final episode with his younger sister Anna and her children who were often brought up during the season. In the previous episode Adam designed LuLa, which was dedicated to Luke and Laureen with parts of their names in the title.
A lot of his projects judged over the season had to do with nature and family, all using recycled, repurposed and forgotten items.
"I enjoy being on the show to showcase how creative one can be with materials laying around the house," said Adam when interviewed back in July.
Growing up in Lake Tahoe, Adam took to the mountains and found himself on Gunbarrel run at Heavenly each winter.
His creativeness started young in life, with treks with dad Dave Kingman, a former Major League Baseball player. Adam said they'd start off with breakfast at the Red Hut and then head out to shop around for old treasures at junk shops, the dump, auctions.
His mother is also a crafter, always having projects going on from knitting to sand blasting, said Adam. His dad took old, empty propane tanks and made them into a "neat" fire pit in the shape of a teacup.
When in Lake Tahoe, Adam says his favorite thing to do is start off the morning by drawing in a corner at the Red Hut on Kingsbury Grade. He also finds himself with his sketch book on the Gunbarrel lift, filling its pages with stories, designs, drawings and whatever comes to his mind. He then skis down, only to post in his book on the way up.
"It would be so fun to work with Heavenly, design stuff around the mountain and create terrain," said Adam of his favorite playground. "I'd also like to add up-cycled crafts around town."
His creative mind also sees a snowcat turning into a waffle and coffee delivery service.
Adam said he will always be designing and creating. He'd like to create bigger and said he can't wait to see what unfolds design-wise.
During the pandemic, Tahoe was his home base. The show wrapped in November but he had to keep the results hidden from everyone, including family.
Making It is hosted by Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler. Offerman said the elder Kingman was his hero growing up, so he was excited to meet him during taping of the final episode.
"It was fun to see Nick react," said Adam. "I never got to see my dad play. I enjoy it when someone else shares in the excitement."
He says he has always been observant and curious, loved the things that work, and working with hands.
While back in Tahoe, Adam says he's been seeing friends he hasn't talked to in a long time and seeing his parents.
"Its been fun to share this with them," he said. They were both on the final episode to join in the celebration.
In the immediate future he'll keep reconnecting with friends and enjoying Lake Tahoe, his special place. He has no immediate plans and just having fun.
"Thank you Tahoe," said Adam, appreciative of all the support he's received during the show.