Open Works
Open Works COVID-19 Update 5/29/2020
Hello!
We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in these perilous times.
Thank you to everyone who filled out our survey or joined us for the Community Zoom call last Saturday. We’ve put the call up on YouTube here and would still love to hear your thoughts on reopening if you haven’t shared them with us already. We know everyone is anxious to get making again, but as of today we are still under mandatory closure by order of the Mayor’s office. For the latest updates, we have been following the Baltimore Sun’s Covid-tracker page here.
Makers Unite Update
The Makers Unite project is still going strong! We have now produced 23,450 face shields for medical personnel, first responders, and food inspectors. We are now working to complete one final order for the USDA that is due on Friday, June 12th. After that, we will be sunsetting the project. Demand seems to have peaked (for now), and we need to turn our attention to sending out thank you packages to volunteers, and clocking in on some much-needed machine maintenance. Big thank you to Chesapeake Light Craft for helping us manufacture the pieces for this final push!
Reopening Update
As we mentioned above, we are still under a mandatory closure order in Baltimore City. Unfortunately, Open Works is not considered an essential facility under current rules. For a quick snapshot of what is and is not allowed under current (5/29/2020) guidance, the Sun published a brief explainer this morning.
The Open Works Board of Directors approved a reopening framework at the Q2 meeting last Friday. It is now available as a PDF. Please read it carefully and understand that it is a framework that is subject to change as data continues to inform our decision-making. We are fortunate that our facility is already set up to handle Covid transmission quite well, with heavy-duty air handling, ceiling fans, high ceilings, and plenty of room to circulate.
The biggest point? Safety is a collective responsibility! Open Works has been hyper-focused on safety since Day 1, and we have a perfect record of zero injuries to members, class enrollees, youth, and staff over our first 3-1/2 years. We intend to keep it that way as we enter this new era, and our approach can be summarized by three simple rules:
– Wear a mask at all times
– If you or someone in your household is sick, stay home
– Clean machines/surfaces with disinfectant after you use them
Still have questions? We thought you might ;). Join us for our next community call on Saturday, 6/6 to go over reopening plans. Check out the Facebook event here or join the Zoom link directly.
Open Works Weekly 4/7/23
Increasing Digital Equity Beginning this Spring! A number of different neighborhoods throughout central Baltimore will be able to charge their devices and access WiFi thanks to our partnership with the Central Baltimore Partnership (CBP). The 29th Street Community...
Open Works Weekly 3/31/23
Do you want to bring your young person into the Textiles shop to sew with you? It's time to get them youth certified! Combined with our new youth membership option, we now offer a portable sewing machine class that prepares you and your young person for working...
Open Works Weekly 3/24/23
We've got just TWO of our 105 micro-studios left! Small but mighty, each comes with fast wi-fi, an optional workbench, and conference room privileges. But the best part is joining up with the fascinating and wide-ranging creative community! And have we mentioned the...
Open Works Weekly 3/17/23
TODAY! Join us at 10:30 with your little one for story time with Mrs. Abigail! Grab a coffee from our friends at Black Acres and enjoy songs, stories, and activities. While you're in, it would also be a perfect time to register any older siblings for Maker Camp 2023....
Open Works Weekly 3/10/23
One of our FAVORITE things to do is connect makers with opportunities! There are a lot coming up in the next few weeks -- check out the links below for accelerators, competitions, and vending opportunites.+ The inaugural Make/Space Accelerator is now accepting...
Open Works Weekly 3/3/23
Enrollment is OPEN for Maker Camp 2023! We are offering 5 weeks of half-day summer camp exploring drones, digital design, and fabrication skills for ages 8-15. All 5 weeks sold out last year, so don't wait! Scholarships are always available here. Not sure about...
Open Works Weekly 2/24/23
Today is the 3rd day of our EPIC wood shop reorganization! We are busy cleaning, labeling, engraving, inventorying, pegboarding, and moving machines to improve member experience. It will take another week or so to wrap up final touches. Going forward, each tool will...
Open Works Weekly 1/12/23
There are still a few open spot for official premiere of the Black Butterfly Dream Lab with Dr. Lawrence Brown. Participants will play the board game Urban Cipher, view a history exhibit, examine Baltimore City's budget, and literally build a more equitable...
Open Works Weekly 1/6/23
It's been quite some time in the planning process, but the cafe take-away window is finally up and running! Currently open from 8–9am, you can now grab take out from Black Acres Roastery just a few short steps away from the ample parking along Greenmount Ave. As part...
Open Works Weekly 12/23/22
Just a few quick things before we close up for the break. We're closing early today, at 3:00pm due to staff being out sick, and will be closed, as planned through 1/2/23. We want to encourage everyone to stay safe and healthy out there. We also wanted...
Station North Arts Walk
TONIGHT!!! 5–8PM Tonight is Station North Arts Walk’s Spotlight on Greenmount West and Open Works will serve as a hub with a maker’s mart, food vendors, and music from DJ Trillnatured. Registration is not required, but appreciated. Maker Vendors...
Open Works Weekly 6/24/22
Today, we’re graduating the first cohort of the Baltimore Sewn Trades Training Program!!! Congrats to Kay, Ellie, Jody, Will, T., D., and Devan! It’s hard to sum up all the hard work and detailed learning that went into completing this program, but the slim binder...
The Boutique Life at Open Works
Number one perk of writing the Open Works newsletter is the opportunity to go around asking our talented members a bunch of questions about their work. Last week I had a chance to sit down and chat with Samantha Montgomery from The Boutique Life, one of our resident...
Open Works Weekly 5/13/22
Are you interested in computer-aided design, CNC routers, 3D printing, laser cutting, or making furniture? The Makers Unite CAD Training program teaches AutoDesk Fusion 360, use and operation of our CNC (computer numerical control) wood routers, and basic woodworking...
