Open Works
Open Works Weekly 3/12/2021
Baltimore’s Covid trends are all headed in the right direction! With vaccines rolling out, warm weather on the way, and a long hard winter of social distancing behind us, it looks like a move to Phase 2 of the City’s reopening plan isn’t too far off.
However, Mayor Scott announced yesterday the City is not reopening to the extent that Governor Hogan announced on Wednesday. We are doing our best to comply with overlapping and at times conflicting guidance on capacity restrictions. Thank you for your patience!
Assuming current trends continue, we are planning to restore Monday and some evening hours starting Monday, March 29th. Class enrollment capacity will be raised from 2 to 4. Shop reservations, day passes, mandatory masking, and other Covid mitigation measures will still be in place. Check out the full reopening plan here.
Check out the sweet fade Dajaun put on his desk! We have been so excited to see students creating on top of the blank canvas of the basic Makers Unite plywood design! So far, we’ve delivered 174 desks and stools to 12 different schools and community sites. Technical.ly Baltimore did a nice write up on the project here.
Today, 30 employees from BGE will be volunteering to help sand desks to provide more desks for more Dajauns. We’re so thankful for the support — and you can help too! Sign up to volunteer here.
Want to support the project in other ways? Please donate a desk, donate a stool, download the plans, or check out the YouTube assembly video. So far, through your generosity, we have funded 352 desks and 58 stools! Thank you so much for your support.
Want to learn more about Makers Unite? Join Open Works Executive Director Will Holman and Innovation Works CEO Jay Nwachu on April 6th at noon for a presentation on our face shield project presented by the University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library and the Grid Co-working Space. The event is FREE — register here!
Check out this sneak preview of our next Making in Place kit! We’ve been busy designing a series of pennants that celebrate Black and women makers throughout history. They are ready for pre-order now, just hit the button below! In the meantime, we’ve got more virtual workshops on the books, Making in Place apron kits in stock, and virtual safety classes on Teachable. Pick up a kit or register for an online class today!
New storage lockers are ready to rent as of 3/12 (next Friday)! Full size lockers are $85/mo., half lockers are $45/mo. Discounts available for resident members. Email frontdesk@openworksbmore.com today to reserve one. 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!
Link Soup
+ Four Ten Artist Lofts now renting in the Bromo District — and they come with OW day passes!
+ Join the Greenmount West Community Center for a Legacy Voices listening session on 3/17 at 4 PM
+ Right to repair legislation moving forward in Maryland General Assembly
+ Wild, insect-like 3D printers defy common engineering logic
Open Works is Elevating our Game Night Experience
Open Works, the vibrant community hub, is thrilled to announce dynamic collaborations that promise to elevate its renowned Game Night experience, held every 4th Wednesday. In a strategic move to enrich the engagement of our members and community, Open Works now offers...
Open Works Announces Exciting Partnership with Rubys Artist Grant
Open Works is thrilled to announce our partnership with the prestigious Rubys Artist Grant program. The Rubys Artist Grants are known for providing direct funding of up to $15,000 to Baltimore-area artists, empowering them to embark on innovative projects with...
DIG Fellow: Josh Russakis
Meet Josh Russakis I grew up in Baltimore went to City College for high school. My making discipline straddles a lot of areas. I restore, customize, and modifying vintage motorcycles in my own shop. I design and make furniture for my home, silicone molds to cast...
DIG Fellow: Lindzor Parker
Meet Lindzor Parker Lindzor is a Maine raised and Baltimore based silly goose with an overwhelming drive to create. Despite many trials and tribulations, nothing has stopped Lindzor from pursuing their dream as an artist. Their journey started as a seed volunteering...
DIG Fellow: Aliana Grace Bailey
Meet Aliana Grace Bailey Aliana Grace Bailey is an interdisciplinary fiber artist—taking up space with bold softness. She was born and raised in DC, and has lived and worked in Baltimore since 2018. Working in surface pattern design, large-scale weavings,...
DIG Fellow: LaQuida Chancey
Meet LaQuida Chancey LaQuida Chancey, also known as Quida or Q, is an East Baltimore resident. She designs shelters, hosts micro-shelter design thinking workshops with community members and teaches them how to safely use tools. In 2019, she designed and built a 20...
DIG Fellow: MC Carey
Meet MC Carey MC Carey (they/them) is a printmaker and lover from Columbia, MD now making and living in Baltimore! MC loves playing with texture and creating hand carved linoleum block prints throughMee their print studio, Femme Prints. When they aren’t getting only,...
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...
The Open Works Future Fund
Open Works is in the process of establishing a network of makerspaces, and we're reaching out to seek your assistance! This month, we have an exciting project underway: constructing a shed near our loading dock. This shed will help free up valuable studio space inside...
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...
