Originally published at: Member Newsletter – August 2024 – The Claremont MakerSpace
Hello CMS members! The Summer months are flying by and I’m finally getting to write an update for you. I’ve been focused on grants, expanding our classes and partnerships, and despite a few challenges, we are continuing to grow. I’m excited to share the following news with you, starting with some key shop updates.
Register for upcoming classes here
Shop Updates
- Wood Shop – Peter Gunn will be holding Wood Shop Open Nights on most Fridays in August from 6pm to 9pm, except for 8/23. Members certified in the WoodShop are welcome to join Peter regardless of your membership level. If you are interested in learning more about the Wood Shop, stop by to talk with Peter. You can contact him directly at [email protected]. Also, the ShopBot was offline while a new vacuum switch was ordered/installed. Many thanks to Russ Scaduto for getting it back online and communicating with certified users.
- Jewelry Studio – August is Jewelry month! – Jewelry maker Angela Hill is returning to CMS this month. See the calendar for jewelry classes and work sessions, including one for members only. Also, Shop Lead Melanie Hooker recently brought private classes back to CMS with two jewelry classes for VT youth. We will start to schedule more private classes this Fall.
- Metal Shop – Plasma Cutting – The Hypertherm HOPE Foundation is helping to assess our plasma cutting hardware and software, and will be teaching classes starting 8/29. This first class is reserved for members only and a few of our instructors. Later classes will be open to the public. We are grateful to Hypertherm for helping add this class back to our calendar. Also, if you haven’t seen Shop Lead Jo Ann Clifford’s metal art commission, you may want to stop by to take a peak before it moves to its new home.
- Machine Shop – A grant from Claremont Savings Bank Foundation helped CMS to purchase new precision measurement devices for metrology and machining classes. Shop Lead Joe Sneed has been making strides to get our Machine Shop up and running, and despite some issues with the mills, we now have a plan to get both mills back online. More to come.
- Electronics & Digital Fabrication Lab – Shop Lead Tiffany Vincent has been working with electronics and ham radio members to sort through all the recent donations, to reorganize the studio and to install a more permanent club ham radio station. Join Tiffany at the Amateur Radio Monthly Meetup on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 1pm to 3pm.
- Fiber Arts Studio – Maintenance of machines has been the focus of Shop Lead Allison Zito, especially the mid-arm quilter and getting a serger back up and running. It’s been great to see all the beautiful member quilts in progress this Summer. Watch for new classes to come this Fall.
- Computer Lab – Shop Lead Kevin Tyson has worked with CMS Summer Intern Shawnez Ripley to clean out old equipment from the lab, and put new print processes in place. Kevin is now certifying members to use the Canon large format printer, and he is developing a new print class and expanded print certification.
In other news…
We’re Hiring! – CMS is hiring a Director of Workforce Development & Education to expand our educational programming and work closely with area employers. See information about the position and staffing process here.
CMS Artist in Residence – The Artist in Residence program will hopefully return in 2025 with renewed support from a NH state arts grant. In the mean time, I am seeking a local business sponsorship to enable a metal arts residency this Fall. Watch for more updates on this topic.
Introduction to BRIC – CMS is partnering with our tech friends at Black River Innovation Labs in Springfield VT to offer their Actuator Session Zero class on September 4th. This class is an introduction to their free 8-week entrepreneurship program. See Actuator details below and learn more about BRIC here.
Interested in being a Desker? As our number of classes grow, we are recruiting new desker volunteers to man out front desk. As a Desker, you earn discounts on your monthly membership, depending on the number of shifts you work. If interested, reach out to Valerie at [email protected].
Partnership with COVER – You may remember that CMS volunteered with COVER this past Spring to help repair a roof for a homeowner in Charlestown. Through John Lambert’s leadership, CMS will partner with COVER this Winter to build window insulation inserts at CMS and make homes more energy efficient. We’ll be recruiting volunteers to help with these monthly builds, and we’ll teach classes on how to build the inserts for your home. If you are interested in helping COVER repair local homes now, there are projects in the coming weeks for Claremont, Charlestown, and Springfield – see their volunteer calendar/signup here.
CMS SHOP LEADS:
Wood Shop: John Lambert AND Peter Gunn [email protected]
Machine Shop: Joe Sneed [email protected]
Metal Shop: JoAnn Clifford [email protected]
Jewelry Studio: Melanie Tata [email protected]
Digital Fab. & Electronics Lab: Tiffany Vincent and Brian Spahr [email protected]
Fiber Arts Studio: Allison Zito [email protected]
Computer Lab: Kevin Tyson [email protected]
ShopBot: Russ Scaduto [email protected]
REMINDERS
- Guests/non-members/children are NOT allowed in the building unless they are registered for a class, scheduled for a tour, or attending a public/guest event. We are considering changes but until then, please respect this CMS policy.
- The building closes at 9pm daily. To assist the closer on duty, please start wrapping up your project to be out by 9pm.
- Support your maker community and remember to clean up your work area before you leave.
Thank you for being part of the CMS community and many thanks to our volunteers who keep CMS running! …f
Felicia Dalke, Executive Director, [email protected]
[Note – This WordPress newsletter doesn’t always translate well to email, so please excuse any format issues!]
