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We are
The Making Place

Your local makerspace

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A makerspace is a place in which people can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge.

We want to become a community hub that brings people together because we see a need in the Valley for more positive social spaces that do not revolve around alcohol or consumption but instead around sharing and learning.

The Making Place first began as a project in October of 2023 with a public interest survey gauging demand for a community makerspace. The results indicated a desire for three main services: workshops & classes, a tool library, and a communal workspace.

What is a makerspace and why did we start one?

  • We want to make it easier for people to create. We want to provide a "third space" in our community where people can connect and hangout. Our longterm vision is for The Making Place to grow into a large workshop that meets the wants and needs of our community.

     

    For artists The Making Place could be a space to practice your craft, teach workshops and classes, share work with the community, or check out a tool.

    For community members The Making Place could be a space to learn new skills, shop for local art, access resources, or attend events.

  • We exist to provide creative space and resources for our community to make, share & learn together. We want to empower a community driven art scene & enable the local making culture to flourish.

    See our extended mission & vision write-up here.

    Read about the importance and community benefits of third spaces here.

  • Support

    • We serve people that want to make things

    • We put the best interest of our artists and makers first

    • We seek to grow and evolve our services with community feedback

    • We create an inspiring and creative place

    Include

    • Walk in and be welcome

    • We welcome and take care of new people

    • A community space that brings people together

    • We prioritize accessibility

    • We are open minded and always listen to new ideas

    Share

    • We work better together

    • We collaborate and cooperate in building our space

    • We respect and care for each other and the space

    • We share the responsibility to build and maintain the space

    Sustain

    • We learn and share knowledge

    • We are financially responsible

    • We prioritize safety

    • We limit the harm done to our natural environment

    • We give back to our community

Our Services

The services we provide are based on results from our initial public interest survey gauging demand from the community.

Events, Workshops & Classes

From hide tanning to letterpress printing, our workshops & classes span many disciplines; highlighting the range of skills in our local creative community.

Our community social events bring people together around the act of creativity.

View our calendar.

Tool Library

A tool library is like a regular library- instead of books, members can borrow tools to support their projects.

Our tool library consists mostly of hand and power tools for fabrication projects. We also have a few "kids kits," boxes of crafting supplies for young people.

Explore our Tool Library.

Online Resources

Our open source online resources aim to connect the creative community in The Flathead.

Public Calendar

Opportunity & Open Call Board

Community Resource Directory

Art Market & Fair Forum

Artist & Maker Database

Communal Workspace

Members can use our large tables and stationary tools in good natural light to work on their projects.

We offer daytime and 24hr access to our workspace.

Learn more about the space.

Seth Anderson Photography (plein air painting)

Who is behind the scenes?

The Making Place is organized and run by a group of volunteers- working board members and enthusiastic participants. We are artists, makers and professionals collaborating to create a makerspace for our community. Check us out below and come say hey at one of our events!

Interested in getting involved

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Amy Gwartney

Amy is managing and organizing our programming.

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Brooke Myhre

Brooke is managing our volunteer program.

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Ellen Mering

Ellen is our board's Vice President, leading our fundraising efforts and working on our administrative planning.

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Jess Garby

Jess is helping with our outreach.

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Justin Barry

Justin is our board's President, coordinating administration, leading meetings and networking.

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Kay Lyle

Kay is assisting in our operations.

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Marijke Stob

Marjike is helping to manage our facilities.

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Shannon Leahy

 Shannon is our Marketing Lead, managing our marketing efforts and social media.

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Sienna Broglie

Sienna is assisting our operations and marketing.

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Tricia Hinchey

Tricia is our board's Secratary, working on communications and administrative planning.

Join our team of organizers!

Attend one of our biweekly meetings where we discuss and plan the strategy and operations of The Making Place.

 

We are a group of community volunteers making it happen, you could join in the fun! Interested in helping out? Volunteering your skills? Joining our board? 

Sponsored By

Uptown Hearth
Signature Sponsor
Sisters Bloom
Creativity for Kids Sponsor
Mountain Time Wellness
Creativity for Kids Sponsor
Whitefish Community Foundation
Creativity for Kids Sponsor
KZ Farm
Art for All Sponsor
Parkside Credit Union
Toolbox Sponsor
The Hub
Toolbox Sponsor
Garden Girl Gardens
Toolbox Sponsor
345 Farm
Toolbox Sponsor
Blackstar Brewing
Toolbox Sponsor
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