By Amy Krzanik For a number of years, many folks habitually bemoaned how quickly the younger generations (and the older ones, too) had so fully embraced “the digital age." As they would have you believe, soon no one would be able to sew a button back on, grow an heirloom radish from the ground, or create a piece of art without the aid of a computer program. But, audible sigh, we’ve all learned that this panic was a false alarm. Farms and gardens still exist, neighbors show up in public with their buttons all on, and paintings continue to hang in galleries. In fact, there seems to be not a lull, but a resurgence in interest in learning how to create things by hand. This is evidenced by the makerspaces that have popped up in our area in the past two years. Here's a rundown of what they are, what they offer and how you can get involved.
North Adams Maker’s Mill73 Main St., North Adams, MA (413) 749-2073A Monday night figure drawing collective and Wednesday knitting nights are weekly staples at the Mill, which opened in June of last year, but one-off workshops could be anything from doll-making to typesetting. This Saturday, the space will hold a screen printing workshop from 9 a.m. – Noon, and April offerings include indigo dyeing, felting, and an introduction to sewing.
In addition to its scheduled classes, the communal space offers memberships for $40 a month ($25 for students) which includes the use of, and training on, any and all equipment. Its fiber arts equipment includes looms of various sizes, sewing machines and basic sewing notions. Printmakers can take advantage of its letterpresses and its screen printing and bookbinding equipment. Additional space is set up with a computer, printer/scanner, design software and a library that includes books from local press, and Mill supporter, Storey Publishing. The Mill’s senior maker fellow, Kate Barber, is a traditionally trained book binder, letterpress printer, and paper maker who works at the Williams College Museum of Art. She’s noticed that a lot of the people who use the space have busy lives that don’t necessarily involve making, but that they enjoy learning new skills, thinking in a new way and working with their hands. “A lot of what we’re offering is not about making, but about building community through the making," says Barber. “It can enhance your practice when you meet new people and learn new ways of doing things."
Shire City Sanctuary40 Melville St., Pittsfield, MA (413) 236-9600Most Pittsfield residents already know of the Sanctuary, having attended one of its popular year-round events, including its annual holiday shopping Shindy, summer outdoor music series (Shire City Sessions) or numerous other theater, music, art or fundraising events. Crispina ffrench, maker extraordinaire and co-owner of the circa 1895 church where her makerspace is housed, purchased the building back in 2006.
“Think of it as a gym for makers," she says, “where you pay a membership fee, get a key, and can come and go as you please." Memberships run $150 a month (with less expensive seasonal memberships in the works) and include 24-hour access to the church’s expansive collaborative spaces, its commercial kitchen, screenprinting and sewing equipment, and a 25% discount on all events. And there are no shortage of events. Last summer’s monthly Sessions will become a weekly event beginning on Monday, July 11. Starting in April, every third Friday will be swing night with live music by The Lucky 5. The evening runs from 7-11 p.m., with the first hour featuring a dance lesson. On Tuesday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m., a technology group holds an informal meeting to work on building robots. ffrench says, “Most of those people work alone and it’s great to have a place where they can work together so that new people can learn." A kickstarter is in the works so that the group can purchase a 3D printer and other equipment for the space. Monthly intro to cooking cases are set to begin in April and will run $25-35 per class. ffrench holds at least one introductory screen printing and one introductory sewing class each month for those who are interested but not sure how committed they want to be. “It’s a great way to try it out without making giant commitment of time or money," she says. More in-depth classes are offered over a series of weeks or in intensive weekend workshops.
Inky Editions112 S. Front St., Hudson, NY (518) 610-5549“When I saw this space, one thing just led to another," says visual artist George Tsalikis. “Hudson makes someone want to take a chance." Tsalikis left NYC in the summer of 2014 to build his 5,000-square-foot printmaking facility in the former L&B building.
The studio is environmentally friendly, and focuses on alternative practices to toxic printmaking. It’s an impressive and professional space where established artists can rent private studios and produce fine art prints with a master printer. But artists of all skill levels are welcome to learn about the process through workshops and lectures. “Printmaking is communal by nature," Tsalikis says. “I’m interested in the dialogue that occurs between artists; I see it as beneficial." Much like the looms and printing presses found at the other makerspaces, printmaking equipment is not something many people have room for at home. “If you buy a press, it requires a set-up and chemicals, much like a dark room does," says Tsalikis. Inky Editions has the capacity and equipment needed to create photo etchings, aquatints, dry point, copper plate and more. Yearly memberships start at $50, and the next class is Advanced Mono-print with Joseph Albers Color Theory on April 2 & 3. “Handmade is a look you can’t get in digital, and people want to know how they can get something more precious, something that is available only in a limited edition. This is five centuries of technology that’s making a comeback."
Drop Forge & ToolHudson, NYAlthough technically not a makerspace (classes are held at 84 Green Street and other downtown locations), Drop Forge & Tool already has held around 15 workshops and housed over 50 resident artists in its short lifespan. Directors Katharine Daugherty and Michael Hoch left San Francisco for Hudson in December of 2014 in search of more space. The house they now live in has second-floor accommodations where artists (visual, performance, written, tactile and musical) can live and work for days or weeks.
The classes they offer include wooden spoon carving, block printing, paper arts, and various sewing and pattern-making classes with teacher and author Cal Patch. These types of craft classes offer more than just skills says Daugherty. “It’s important that students have something to take with them when they leave." Becoming a full-fledged makerspace with a dedicated location is something Daugherty and Hoch are considering, but for now she says space sharing has its benefits. “It’s good because we get to be in different places in the community and collaborate with different people." Which is, after all, what a makerspace is all about. Additional ResourcesOne Mercantile, Great BarringtonThis Castle Street shop is offering upcoming classes in terrarium building, needle felting and more. IS183 Art School of the BerkshiresIS183 offers classes and workshops, for children and adults, at locations throughout the county. Upcoming topics include ceramics, paper arts, photography, fiber arts and jewelry making. Art School of Columbia CountyARTtalks, pop-up exhibits, and classes in all manner of painting, drawing and mixed media can be found here.
