Photos, video and article by Martha Hamblen
About a hundred people toured the workshop spaces at the Future Forge Makerspace Open House and Fundraiser on Saturday, June 29th.
Children, adults and teens were painting, planting and crowding around the numerous pieces of equipment in the 4,000 Sq. ft. building at 307 East College Avenue. It was the perfect way to showcase what Future Forge is all about.
The budding nonprofit, started in 2020, is a community-based, hands-on learning center. Paid memberships are offered to anyone who wants to take a variety of classes to learn a hands-on skill. Through this organization you can be part of a growing community of tinkerers, creators and makers. Ongoing workshops are also offered on a regular basis.
For the event, staff and volunteers colorfully decorated the space with crafts, wall hangings, trinkets and more that were on sale. Refreshments were plentiful.
Dozens of guests wandered through the well-organized workspaces and gathered around the various pieces of equipment listening and watching the members and staff explaining their operation. For example, the 3-D printers were melting and extruding colorful plastic trinkets made to sell at the fundraiser; items like vases, plant stakes and tiny wind wheels.
Leah Klearman, Textile “lead.” was a member of other Makerspace organizations in San Francisco. She says she is committed to the concept and success of the Silver City Future Forge.
The laser printer was another popular machine on display. It was shown off by Board member, Dena Quintanar.
She explained how the machine worked and how it followed the computer instructions she inputted. Onlookers watched the huge machine quickly shuttle a needle-like laser back and forth to cut out a wooden flower. Quintanar said once you learn the machine it is only limited by the creator's imagination.
In another room there were a group of girls and women seated at a long table loaded down with bright paints, brushes and terra cotta pots. They were busy painting the pots which were part of the fundraising garden theme: A Growth Fundraiser and Open House.”
For $40.00 you received a terra cotta pot, a plant and soil, a macrame plant hanger (which you made on site) and garden jewelry. You could also buy a wide variety of craft items made by members and staff; handmade ceramic gnomes, laser cut wooden sketch pad covers, colorful 3-D printed vases and more. There were also giveaway prizes like a basket of garden tools.
At the end of the day staff said they raised almost $4,000.00. Those monies will go to continue their work and provide for general operating expenses.
To pause the slide show, mouse over the image.