Banbury Customs at 483 North Washington in Afton is offering a Makerspace facility in their building where community members can gather to create, learn and connect. Grand Opening festivities are planned for September 13 from 5-8 p.m. Private tours are available by appointment through August.
In a recent interview with SVI Media, Jennifer Wilkins defined Makerspace as “a space where people can come together and create. Making music or visual arts, metal or woodworking, making community, tangible items and building culture. It’s being around like-minded individuals who love the same things that you do. You can learn so much from each other, inspire each other while making memories, making projects, and making community. It’s about building a community of creators.
The Makerspace facility offers several spaces where folks can use space, tools and equipment to create, build, teach or learn.
Jay Banbury and Jennifer Wilkins would like to invite “any kind of educational experience that people want to offer or skills they want to share. I’m hoping to see things like traditional blacksmithing or woodworking using our hand tools and mechanical equipment.”
With a robust collection of tools, equipment, supplies and space, the facility could become a regular meeting home for clubs, classes, entrepreneurs, families, and artists. “We have a washing station for tie dye, or soap making. We have pressure washing capabilities so it’s ok if it’s a little messy. We have a full metals section with welders, plasma cutters and a plasma cutting table.” They have air compressors, power tools, and laser engravers.
It’s important to these two owners that folks know that the objective with the Makerspace facility is to add to the community resources and skill sets rather than compete with them.
“It’s kind of a place for people to share their creativity, share their experiences, share their knowledge or just make something that they want to,” said Banbury.
Wintertime is a challenge for folks who want to gather for collaboration or for artists or crafters who want to sell their creations. The facility could potentially serve as a workspace in the winter or as a gallery for artists to display their creations.
Rates are typically set at $30 an hour per space, with tool rentals added to that. Rates are, however, negotiable for non-profits or folks who have unique needs or circumstances.
“So much innovation happens when you are in a community environment and people are helping one another,” said Wilkins. Making your project here opens up more for your inspiration. Things you have never thought about before can happen because of someone else who walks up and asks about what you are working on. The collaboration is unmatched. When you are working on your own, it’s easy to lose motivation, but when you are here for a specific amount of time, you need to make it count. It also expands your way of participating in your skill, your craft, your art, just by being around a community of people.”
With a clean, warm space for your project or program, Wilkins says that the possibilities become endless. “We expect people to clean up after themselves, but you will always show up to a clean space. You will always show up to a friendly face. We help with marketing and advertising. It will be nice to have one building that offers a variety of options, spaces and tools. It’s all right here.”
For a list of protocols and safety rules, visit banburycustoms.com. To schedule your makerspace experience or ask questions, please email banburymakers@gmail.com or call or text 307-200-9819.
