Open Works
Open Works Weekly 7/17/2020
The last time America faced a crisis this big, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in office. Fortunately, he just had a Depression to deal with — not a pandemic as well! Open Works supports dozens of small businesses, most of which are too small to have qualified for the Paycheck Protection Program or other governmental assistance. They need to get in the building and work to rebuild their income.
However, we have lost almost 1/3 of our studio tenants due to the pandemic. Help us replace some of that lost support by signing up as an affiliate member on our website today so we can keep extending resources to the small businesses who are falling through the cracks. Please sign up for a $5, $10, or $20 recurring monthly donation.
Open Works is Hiring!
Now that our emergency response is over, we are hiring! We’ve got a pile of contract work to catch up on, and need some more help with member services. Are you a maker with a passion for service? Want to join the hardest-working crew in the makerspace business? We are looking for Community Technicians (starting rate of $15.50/hour) and Contract Services Technicians (starting rate of $17/hour).
Yard Sale
As our first post-pandemic event, we are throwing a Community Yard Sale on Saturday, July 25th. We are letting this Pittsburgh Automotive 1 ton telescoping gantry crane with chain joist go for just $500. Don’t miss the chance to score some Covid deals! Do you have some odds and ends to to sell? Sign up to be a vendor here.
Virtual Community Orientation
Want to become a member? Need to (finally) get out of working from home? No worries! We are running virtual community orientations for folks interested in renting micro-studios on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Get a video tour of the space, an explanation the membership contract with our staff, and a Q+A session at the end. Sign up in MindBody here.
Making In Place Kits
Make along with us with our ‘Making In Place’ Craft Kits! We’ve designed 6 awesome DIY activities for the junior makers in your life to keep their little paper writing hands active over summer break. Each kit includes supplies for six projects to make along with video tutorials available on Youtube.
- Pocket Loom
- Face Mask
- T-shirt Tote
- Animal Mobile
- Sidewalk Stencils
- Recycled Crayons
$30 ($5/activity), local pickup only. Pickup on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 AM-4 PM. Please note that orders will be filled on the following Wednesdays or Fridays after purchase or same day if ordered before 1. Purchase here, $30 ea. ($5/per activity).
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...
