Create Makerspace had its official opening in recent days.
Oscar Radevsky wrote to The Chief in an email they recently held their grand opening event with about 200 people. As of Jan. 30, the space is officially open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
A number of opportunities to explore what the space is all about are in the story below.
Original story
A new venture for all types of creative and artistic endeavours is making its way to Squamish.
If you’re an artist or creative person who’s looking for a space to branch out and use new and large tools or if you’re new to art and just want a space to learn new things, then look no further than Create Makerspace to suit your needs.
With two large bays at 39449 Queens Way, Oscar Radevsky and partners are quickly filling the space with tools ahead of the grand opening. The tools they have can help in woodworking, metalwork, automotive work, plus work with textiles and a variety of computer numerical control (CNC) equipment.
“The idea is to have a community workshop with space and tools that are accessible to everyone,” Radevsky said.
He explained that lots of Squamish living arrangements are unsuitable for large tool use or people can’t afford them.
“Lots of people live in places without a garage to be creative in,” he said.
And that’s where Create Makerspace can step in and provide an artistic atmosphere.
Some of the tools already inside included a bandsaw, sander, laser cutter, 3D printer, embroidery machine and planer. One of the featured tools included a CNC router, which Radevsky described as a tool capable of cutting “complex geometry.”
The business will have a variety of opportunities for those interested in accessing the space. For general use, there will be memberships available at $150 per month or a 10-use punch pass available for $400.
Alongside general access, there will be classes in skills building and training on machines. There will even be specialized classes like a paddle carving workshop with Art Harry.
Radevsky said users can “learn to woodwork, learn to sew or create garments, to work on their vehicles, and do so in a space that feels supportive and inclusive.”
On top of those offerings, there will be a limited number of studio spaces that could be useful for established artists who need a dedicated space for their craft. Radevsky even said Create Makerspace can act as an olive branch and connect locals or businesses with a member for design work.
“It's a lot better that someone, say a homeowner, commissions a member of Create Makerspace to build them a dining table than it is for that same homeowner to drive to IKEA,” he gave as an example.
“By doing that we can stoke the local economy.”
Finally, there will also be a small retail area at the space as well as at the Brackendale Art Gallery, where they plan to host a pottery and jewelry studio when renovations are completed there.
As they aim to open in the coming months, Radevsky is excited for it to become a reality.
“I cannot wait until we can open the doors to this place and welcome people in,” he said.
Radevsky said so many people have already expressed support for the space and they’ve even blown past the crowdfunding goal of $5,000 and raised about $16,000 so far. A variety of donations to the fund also come with perks, such as merch or discounted classes and passes.
“That's, of course, incredibly motivating to see so many people come behind the idea and kind of rally behind the idea,” he said.
Simply put, for Radevsky, building a community artistic space like this mostly just comes from the heart.
“This is something that I'm really passionate about,” he said.
“I can't wait to see people's faces when they discover that this is a resource that's going to be available to them.”
For more information about Create Makerspace, visit createmakerspace.com.
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