Open Works
Open Works Weekly 2/19/2021
Makers Unite is going worldwide! We’ve now had 52 downloads of our desk plans from 14 states, Canada, Australia, and India! Our first local distribution is tomorrow, with just about 200 scheduled to go out the door. We are so excited to get these in the hands of kids who need them!
Join the club — grab download package with all the files needed to cut and build your own Makers Unite Desk.
Want to support the project in other ways? Please donate a desk, donate a stool, or check out the YouTube assembly video. So far, through your generosity, we have funded 326 desks already! Thank you so much for your support.
Makers Unite makes history! Jane and Colin (pictured), part of the curatorial team from the Baltimore Museum of Industry, came by last week to pick up some of our face shields for inclusion in their permanent collection as a piece of Baltimore’s industrial history. A list of all of the 388 part contributors, our staff, and partner organizations will be entered into the record alongside the objects. THANK YOU SO MUCH to our MU volunteer family! We are so proud of all of you.
Four Ten Lofts is now leasing and offers affordable artist housing and mixed income housing in the Bromo Tower Arts District. Designed for artists, built for community — Four Ten features amenities for creatives including a gallery, multipurpose room, sound room, spray booth and a garden courtyard. Best of all, we’ve struck a deal with the Four Ten team to offer day pass packs to new residents! Join two communities for the price of one ;)!
Join master papercutting artist Annie Howe to learn how to create your very own custom papercut patterns in this hands-on remote workshop! The class begins with a brief introduction on Annie’s work and an in-depth demonstration on the techniques used to create custom papercuts. The remaining workshop time allows for students to create their own spectacular designs with Annie’s guidance. March 4th, 7-9 PM. $20 without materials kit; $40 with kit. Best for ages 15+. Register here.
We have been hard at work renovating our storage area this winter. The open shelves are gone, and have been replaced with 12 beautiful industrial lockers with a 4’x4′ footprint and 12 with a 3’x3′ footprint. These will all be ready to rent by March 15th or so. In the meantime, this renovation has uncovered some surplus equipment, including a rolling part organizer, an unopened rolling part organizer, and some actuators from our old mega-size 3D printer. Check out the listings on eBay and make us an offer!
Originally a way to engage seniors who reported increased feelings of isolation as a result of COVID-19, Baltimore Legacy Voices evolved into a podcast that highlights the lived experiences of seniors in our community. Recorded and produced by our friends at the Greenmount West Community Center. Check out the podcast here.
Link Soup
+ Verizon offering $10K small business grants
+ Open Works member and public artist Graham Coriel-Allen is hiring for his creative placemaking team
+ BGE granting $25M to support local small businesses — apply here
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...
