Artspace Peterborough’s new maker space opens to the public March 10

Artspace Peterborough has announced its new maker space will be open to the public starting Friday (March 10).

Funded through an Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities grant, the maker space expands Artspace’s existing media lab into a welcoming and comfortable place where community members can access a broad range of equipment, tools, and materials for art-making and creative exploration.

Beginning March 10, the maker space will be open on Fridays and Saturdays with drop-in hours for artists and art makers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this time, artists, makers, and community members can bring their own work and use the available equipment and materials.

While everyone will receive a small orientation before gaining access to equipment, community members must demonstrate a level of competency in using the equipment.

There is no cost for Artspace Peterborough members to use the maker space during drop-in hours. For non-members, there is a flat rate of $5 per day. Art-making materials such as linoleum blocks, paper, and vinyl are available at cost.

The maker space will also be available by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Beginning April 10, Artspace will host a weekly open studio on Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Free for members and non-members, the open studio intends to reduce barriers around access to exploring art and different mediums.

People can explore the mediums and equipment available in the maker space. A facilitator will be available to answer questions and offer instructions, and all tools and materials are available to use free of cost, with some limitations.

Equipment currently available in the maker space includes a 2021 IMac with Adobe Creative Cloud, a large Epson flatbed scanner, a long-arm stapler, camera and recording equipment, a Cricut Explore Air 2, an Ipad Pro with Procreate and Apple pencil, and a Woodzilla A4 printing press.

Later in the spring, Artspace will also be acquiring an 18-inch paper guillotine cutter, two miniature etching presses, a sewing machine, and artwork documentation equipment, including photo backdrop, lighting setup, and tripods.

Tools and materials are available for various art-making activities including hand sewing and embroidery, printmaking (gelli plates, linocut printing, and intaglio), sculpting materials, vinyl cutting and transfer, paper for wet and dry mediums, collage, zine making, bookbinding, acrylic and watercolour painting, drawing and colouring, and more.

For more information about the Artspace Maker Space, visit artspaceptbo.ca/maker-space.

This story has been updated with corrections provided by Artspace.