I ventured into Hirvonen Hall; the old Hancock High School on Quincy St., to check out the Earth Day celebration on April 22. Right next to the Superior School of Dance on the fourth floor (there’s an elevator) I found the CAPE Make it UP! Makerspace; a place in our community dedicated to creative enthusiasm. There was a class on red worm composting, a group recycling plastic bottle caps, a Keweenaw Wild Ones booth, and a papermaking class.

Susan Nielsen is the executive director of Keweenaw CAPE (Community Alliance for Progressive Education). Along with her staff and Board of Directors, they oversee many projects in our community, including driver’s education, flag football and indoor soccer, virtual programming with the CLK Schools, and the makerspace. So, I set up an interview with Anna Sanchez, lead instructor in that program.

“CAPE is an innovative educational non-profit that focuses on self-directed and guided hands-on learning. When I came on, I was hired as an art instructor. Susan had the idea to create a makerspace, where we could bring art, building, designing and problem-solving all into one space, and provide the community with access to knowledge as well as tools and equipment.”

Sanchez continued, “It can be very expensive if you want to start a new hobby, buying all the equipment. We at the makerspace have all the equipment, so you can test the waters a bit to see if this is something you want to try or explore.”

I think one of the best things about this space is that Sanchez is an experienced art instructor who loves to teach. She works with Kris Southerland who owns Copper Island Forge, and is well known for his metalwork and his classes at the Calumet Art Center.

Anna was particularly enthusiastic about inviting students of all ages to learn many things like watercolor painting, block printing, jewelry making and even 3-D computer printing. They also have sewing machines and fabric for people who want to learn how to sew.

I went on to ask Anna and Kris the most dangerous question an artist can ask:

“If someone has art supplies or tools that they’re not planning on using….” And they responded with an enthusiastic, “Bring them!”

CAPE is happy to receive art and craft supplies, fabric and tools. Just email ahead to makeitup@keweenawcape.com. They recently acquired a donation of power tools that aren’t functioning well. The plan is to either take them apart and reassemble them, so they work and can be used, or use them as an educational project with a group of people interested in learning about the inner workings of power tools. Their most valuable donations, though, are the gently used tools and supplies that can be put to good use.

When teens from the Dollar Bay-Tamarack schools were learning about Art Therapy, they came to the makerspace to try out art projects that might be used in therapy. Homeschooling kids often use the space to supplement their learning. Since the makerspace is located just next door to the Superior School of Dance, parents bringing their children to dance classes will often stop by with materials to donate, or to work on a project.

On May 27, they hosted a tie-dye event in the Make It UP! Makerspace and had a great turnout. In early June they will be hosting a 2-day Arduino class for teens, where they’ll learn how to code a microcomputer to build some neat, creative projects. They will also be teaching 3-D printing and a class on beeswax wraps that can be used instead of plastic wrap or foil for food. Another project will be a cloud lamp using colored strip lights and polyester fiberfill. To access all the tools and equipment, CAPE charges $5 per day, and will soon have punch cards available for purchase. Some classes are more expensive to cover material costs.

CAPE is working with the City of Hancock to host “Kids on the Green” on June 16, the Friday before Bridgefest. CAPE will be organizing games to get kids moving. The makerspace will be focusing on public art. The kids will be making sidewalk chalk paint, and will be decorating the sidewalks in front of Hirvonen Hall. They are also going to help Dial Help and the Teen Outreach Program dye their shirts for Bridgefest. There will be activities, art, entertainment and food, all for free at this event.

Because accessibility is really important to CAPE, they are working on grant applications which will help to accommodate people who have financial barriers. Currently, Kris Southerland’s position is covered by a grant received from the Keweenaw Community Foundation. Anna is an Americorps Vista worker, and Kris will be one of a few additional Americorps workers for the summer, helping to develop programming, events and classes. Currently, the hours are 5-7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 4-6 p.m. on Thursdays, but the addition of these workers will also allow the makerspace to have more open hours. Volunteers who are interested in art, technology, and building are also encouraged to donate their time to increase the available hours. The makerspace is hoping to eventually be completely self-sustaining soon through events, classes, and fundraising.

To learn more about specific projects or other summer events in the makerspace check out the Make It UP! Makerspace page on Facebook, and their website or just visit the facility!

More Art’s Corner