Innovating Visions: Arts & Craftsman Workshop

Photos by Emma Highfill, Rose Wheat Photography

Vision Building

David and Deborah Corr opened the Arts & Craftsman Workshop in May 2019 as a makerspace for individuals wanting to pursue creative projects while socializing and sharing skills with others. David, former equipment technician and trainer for 712 Innovations, purchased the organization’s equipment and moved it to a new, inviting space with overhead doors and ample parking to make access easier.

The workshop, now located in a former convent at 308 SW Van Buren, draws high school and college students and adults, both employed and retired, who are eager to bring their visions to fruition. A small, rideable steam engine, etched wine glasses for a wedding, molds for chocolate making and gadget prototypes created with a 3D printer are just a sampling of projects underway.

“People come here with all kinds of skill sets—artists, hobbyists, entrepreneurs,” said David. “Sometimes they know exactly which equipment they want to work with and sometimes they want to experiment with everything we offer.”

Glue and epoxy materials can be messy, and some patrons are drawn to the workshop so they can move their hobbies (or their spouse’s hobbies) out of the house, David said, but aside from equipment access the primary appeal is the ability to learn from others.

“YouTube videos are great, but sometimes it’s helpful to come here and ask questions of other people who are skilled at what you’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “I can get them started, but some of our members are more advanced in certain applications than I am and can get them to the next level.”

Sewing and embroidery machines, leathermaking tools and a safety-conscious Sawstop saw and lathe are among the many options available. A laser cutter/etcher is one of the most popular pieces of equipment for patrons interested in making art, jewelry, signage and more for personal use or to sell at craft fairs or in small businesses, David said.

“We have a rotary attachment that can spin tumblers and coffee mugs that’s great for small production runs and personalized gifts,” he said.

A former dental machine used to make mouth guards now functions as a mold-making machine, and a high-tech sandbox illustrates concepts for contour mapping.

The 2,500 square-foot shop space has 24/7 access for members, who pay a monthly fee: $50 for students; $75 for individuals; and $100 for a family household. Regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tables are on wheels so they can be moved and recon gured to accommodate a particular need, and locker rental is available for material storage. Individuals are responsible for their own consumables, such as sand paper, glue and nails.

With 6,000 square feet in the building, the Corrs are able to offer office space and a conference room often used for local podcasts and video production. One tenant is Create/ Uplift, also known as CULT, a creative agency offering brand development and marketing services.

Vision Sharing

Art students from Washburn University often use the workshop for class projects. A math professor collaborated with workshop members to prototype a dice game and built a puzzle for students to solve using math. Business professors use the makerspace to showcase entrepreneurial opportunities for students too.

A second-generation tinkerer, David’s background is in drafting, design and architectural metals. He first became intrigued about making things while watching his dad create unique projects for a specialty company in Jacksonville, Florida, that built a variety of projects from animatronics like those used at Chuck E. Cheese’s to remote control submarines.

“I’d hang out there and marvel at these guys creating things you couldn’t buy o the shelf,” said David.

His own tinkering efforts have included putting a Subaru motor into a 1984 Volkswagen van and making modular music synthesizers that are popular with students.

Deborah, an architect with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, spends her days reviewing project designs for hospitals, fire stations and housing developments in rural communities. At the shop, she uses the laser machine to etch plates for prints, a passion ignited when she won a national art competition as an eighth grader in Rochester, Michigan, for her first silk screen print.

“I peaked early,” she joked.

While some patrons followed the Corrs to the new space, others have only recently discovered its potential and applicability for their avocations.

“We had a shared vision to have a big, creative space with a community of people willing to collaborate on projects while also working toward their own artistic and entrepreneurial aspirations,” said David. “Coming here every day doesn’t feel like work.”