October 2021 Newsletter

First Things First..

The board of Akron MakerSpace would like to thank and acknowledge Devin Wolfe for his service and dedication to AMS.

After several years serving on the board Devin is stepping down from this position for health reasons. Devin has been part of AMS and it’s leadership from the beginning. Through his time as President he has led many group projects, taught countless classes, made partnerships with other makerspaces and non-profit organizations, as well as bought and repaired an unknowable amount of equipment (especially bandsaws). In 2016 he represented us at the White House with many other Makerspaces where they joined together to for Nation of Makers.

Don’t worry, he is still staying on as a member and we look forward to seeing what cool projects he will make!

Beck Salchek, the Vice President of the board, will be taking over the President position. If you see either Devin or Beck in the Space, send a big ‘thank you’ their way!

Current AMS Mask Policy

Masks are required to be worn in the Space.

We value all of our members and please keep in mind that not all individuals can get vaccinated due to various conditions. Individuals with certain medical conditions are still at higher risk for COVID even if vaccinated, and there is not a vaccine available yet for those under 12. Please help us to keep our great maker community healthy and mask up!

Thank you,
AMS Board of Directors

Board Positions Open

AMS has a Board of Directors who are elected to represent the organization and oversee policies.
The board currently has a few open positions and AMS will be looking to fill them in the upcoming Board Elections in February. If you are interested in becoming a part of the AMS Board of Directors, send an email to us so we can get the conversation started!

The open positions are:

Facilities Manager
- Ensures the facility is in good operating condition
  - reports problems to the board
  - plans for and executes preventative maintenance as required
- Maintains (M)SDS list and data
- Ensures building is up to all relevant building and fire codes
- Resupplies all relevant consumables
  - Assistance of Treasurer
- Point-of-contact for all inspections
- Ensures safety and cleanliness of facilities
- Check and replace air filters
- Inspect fire-extinguishers and other safety equipment as needed
- Plans and initiates the installation, moving and decommissioning of machines and equipment when needed
Treasurer
- Manages the organization’s money
- Pays the bills
- Provides monthly financial reporting
- Point-of-contact for state and federal government interactions involving financials (aka, does the taxes)
- Bills members for machine usage (in process)
- Is responsible for the financial section of our GuideStar profile
- Assures that tax documents are completed and filed

All board members are required to:

attend at least 75% of the monthly board meetings
Create, dismantle, join, and head committees relevant to their duties as required
Communicate temporary delegation of duties to other board members if on an approved leave of absence or other special scenarios
Maintain availability (have a phone)
Maintain records of actions taken
- Create quarterly reports showing metrics in their area of operation
Train incoming board members before formally exiting the board themselves

Classes Continue by Request

Due to COVID, AMS classes continue to be available for members only.
Classes for October will be held by request only.
If you’re interested in any of our popular classes like Woodshop Safety, Wood Turning 101, Welding 101, or Soldering 101, or wish to get training on any of the equipment in the space, shoot an email to the board and we can help you get something on the calendar

Without A Trace…

A speaker that was lent to the Space is missing.

It is a Rockville RHB70 Bluetooth speaker. It was normally in the Craft Lab or Small Classroom. It was owned by a member of the Space and they really misses their jams.
If you happen to have seen it or know where it is, please email the board.

Thank you!

Another Race to the Finish

The Akron Makerspace Power Racing team made an appearance at another race near Pittsburgh on September 18th and 19th.
Congrats to the ‘Fett-Vette’ and our awesome members Andy B. and Warren P. for a great race!

By Akron MakerSpace, 3 yearsOctober 5, 2021 ago

Structure

Events

We offer classes and collaborative events on a variety of subjects as well as various social events throughout the year.

Want to learn something not currently offered or wish to teach a class and share your knowledge?

Want to join a class? Send us a quick comment down in the Contact Form!

May

Tue

Make Your Makerspace @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for monthly Make Your Makerspace (MYMS) night to clean, organize, optimize AMS!

Weekly Open Workshop Hours @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

These open workshop hours are hosted by members for members who may not have key access yet. Any member can come in, use the Space, and work on projects together!

Visit the Volunteer sign-ups page to host an evening!

Hosting an evening is easy! Arrive a few minutes before 6:00PM to open the doors until 9:00PM. Workshop hours may extend until 10:00PM if hosts would like to give members extra time to work on their projects. This event is currently only for members.

May

Thu

Thrown Together! @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 23 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Welcome to “Thrown Together! A Small Group Workshop in the Ceramics Lab,” a free exclusive pottery class designed for Akron Makerspace members only. This hands-on workshop aims to help beginner to intermediate potters elevate their skills and produce high-quality pottery.

Our advisor, Perry Cain, a long-time Akron Makerspace member, has studied pottery under a few local masters for years and is experienced in wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, and firing.

Class Objectives:

Increase skill levels from beginner to intermediate through open instruction and practice.
Foster a supportive environment where makers help one another improve their craft.
Provide wheel-centric training while welcoming questions about other techniques, including hand-building and glazing.
Learn the basics, and improve upon, thrown pottery trimming skills.

Class Format:

Focus: Wheel-throwing techniques, from selecting the right clay to centering, pulling up, trimming, and glazing.
Structure: Hands-on learning for six participants (first come, first served), with unlimited observer spots.
Content: Basics of pottery-making and creating a plan for a quality piece by session’s end.
Atmosphere: Free-form, open Q&A approach, encouraging collaborative skill-sharing.

Details:

Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate potters.
Capacity: Six hands-on participants; unlimited observers.
Cost: Free for Akron Makerspace members.
Goal: By the end of the session, each participant will have a plan to create a piece of pottery.

Join us in the Ceramics Lab to refine your skills, connect with fellow makers, and “throw” yourself into a creative journey!

Spots are free, but a donation to AMS is appreciated!

Weekly Open Workshop Hours @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 23 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

These open workshop hours are hosted by members for members who may not have key access yet. Any member can come in, use the Space, and work on projects together!

Visit the Volunteer sign-ups page to host an evening!

May

Sat

Thrown Together! @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 25 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Our advisor, Perry Cain, a long-time Akron Makerspace member, has studied pottery under a few local masters for years and is experienced in wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, and firing.

Class Objectives:

Increase skill levels from beginner to intermediate through open instruction and practice.
Foster a supportive environment where makers help one another improve their craft.
Provide wheel-centric training while welcoming questions about other techniques, including hand-building and glazing.
Learn the basics, and improve upon, thrown pottery trimming skills.

Class Format:

Focus: Wheel-throwing techniques, from selecting the right clay to centering, pulling up, trimming, and glazing.
Structure: Hands-on learning for six participants (first come, first served), with unlimited observer spots.
Content: Basics of pottery-making and creating a plan for a quality piece by session’s end.
Atmosphere: Free-form, open Q&A approach, encouraging collaborative skill-sharing.

Details:

Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate potters.
Capacity: Six hands-on participants; unlimited observers.
Cost: Free for Akron Makerspace members.
Goal: By the end of the session, each participant will have a plan to create a piece of pottery.

Join us in the Ceramics Lab to refine your skills, connect with fellow makers, and “throw” yourself into a creative journey!

Spots are free, but a donation to AMS is appreciated!

Thrown Together! @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 25 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Our advisor, Perry Cain, a long-time Akron Makerspace member, has studied pottery under a few local masters for years and is experienced in wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, and firing.

Class Objectives:

Increase skill levels from beginner to intermediate through open instruction and practice.
Foster a supportive environment where makers help one another improve their craft.
Provide wheel-centric training while welcoming questions about other techniques, including hand-building and glazing.
Learn the basics, and improve upon, thrown pottery trimming skills.

Class Format:

Focus: Wheel-throwing techniques, from selecting the right clay to centering, pulling up, trimming, and glazing.
Structure: Hands-on learning for six participants (first come, first served), with unlimited observer spots.
Content: Basics of pottery-making and creating a plan for a quality piece by session’s end.
Atmosphere: Free-form, open Q&A approach, encouraging collaborative skill-sharing.

Details:

Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate potters.
Capacity: Six hands-on participants; unlimited observers.
Cost: Free for Akron Makerspace members.
Goal: By the end of the session, each participant will have a plan to create a piece of pottery.

Join us in the Ceramics Lab to refine your skills, connect with fellow makers, and “throw” yourself into a creative journey!

Spots are free, but a donation to AMS is appreciated!

May

Tue

Weekly Open Workshop Hours @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 28 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

These open workshop hours are hosted by members for members who may not have key access yet. Any member can come in, use the Space, and work on projects together!

Visit the Volunteer sign-ups page to host an evening!

May

Thu

Weekly Open Workshop Hours @ Akron Makerspace

Tickets

May 30 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

These open workshop hours are hosted by members for members who may not have key access yet. Any member can come in, use the Space, and work on projects together!

Visit the Volunteer sign-ups page to host an evening!

May 2024 May 2024

By Akron MakerSpace, 3 yearsFebruary 8, 2021 ago

Structure

Become a Maker

Normally our facility is open to the public for classes and events. Although members still have full access to our Space, public access has been limited to help contain COVID 19. We will again offer public classes and open house events as soon as we are able to do so safely.

In the meantime you can request a personal tour of the Space and learn more about membership by completing the contact form at the bottom of the page.

Our membership application is available here.

To take full advantage of the Space now we ask that you become a member. Membership is a great way to support the space as you gain valuable access to the tools, equipment and knowledge needed to complete your project. Members also receive benefits such as storage, discounts on classes, and the ability to get a key for round-the-clock access.

After completing the application and paying first month’s dues you can come in during our open hours and build! Open hours are currently on Monday and Friday evenings from 7 pm to 10 pm. You can use tools and equipment you have received sanctioned training on. We want you to build and work on projects, but we also want you to be safe. After your first month, you can apply for full membership with storage space, voting rights, and can apply for an access key.

Start Making Today!

Rates

Basic member – $35 per month
Student/Military/Discount – $30 per month
Family Discount – $35 for the first member per month, $15 per every member after that
Access Key Fee – $5 one time fee

By Akron MakerSpace, 3 yearsFebruary 8, 2021 ago

10-27-2019 Akron MakerSpace Announcements

What’s happening at MakerSpace?

If you’ve not been to an event at the space (check out the calendar at https://akronmakerspace.org/#events), you might not know how far along the new space has come. Huge thanks to the awesome Community of Makers pushing to get everything in shape. There are still loads of opportunities to make your mark – check the calendar for build nights, or get in touch with the Cool Sh*t Committee.

Grand Opening – November 16
We’ve had the work labs open and (mostly) set up for member projects, meetups, and classes, but we’ve not gotten a chance to celebrate just how awesome this new space is, or what it means for our community. Join us on Saturday, November 16 for the official opening of Akron MakerSpace at 540 S Main St! There will be tours, equipment demonstrations, and opportunities to network with Akron’s maker scene – all following a ribbon-cutting ceremony you won’t want to miss.

Cool Sh*t Committee
The Cool Sh*t Committee wants to make cool/fun stuff for the MakerSpace. Our goal is to make the space fun and inviting for like-minded nerds, to help them feel comfortable and excited to participate and be a member at the new space. The tools & equipment get people here, but the community and atmosphere we help create will keep them coming back, and bringing friends. A couple things I want to get started with are a UFO donation jar and small murals on some of the pillars. I think these are relatively easy and fun and give a sense of direction for the Cool Sh*t Committee to shoot for. However, we can do much more! I want to get more people involved so as to reflect the community & not just impose a couple people’s interests on some really fun ideas. Anyone interested in and willing to help spruce up the space with cool shit can contact me -Liz Bennett

Membership Payments
We’ve been working at getting the “back office” processes a littler neater, and part of that means streamlining how we do member payments. Expect some updates soon about how we’re making that process simpler for you to manage.

One Last Thing..
Thank you so much for being here and supporting maker development. We’re looking forward to doing some amazing things, and hope you’ll continue to be a part of that as We Make Akron.

By Akron MakerSpace, 5 yearsOctober 27, 2019 ago