Marrickville Has a Huge New Public Maker Space and Creative Workshop

Wanna learn how to make ceramics, put a flower arrangement together or wield a power tool? This is the place for you.
Jasmine Crittenden
February 12, 2016

Makers, rejoice. Marrickville has just scored an epic new space — and it's dedicated entirely to you. Named MakerSpace &company, the not-for-profit facility caters to pretty much any making style you can think of. So whether you're a metal caster who deals in flames, a welder who makes sparks fly, a thrower of pottery, an arranger of flowers, a sewer of textiles, a stitcher of leather or a wielder of power tools, you're covered.

When we say epic, we mean it. We're talking a 1200-square-metre warehouse, offering not only masterclasses and special events, but also access to all the gear you need to keep going outside of school hours. There are classes and workshops for all levels, from newbies to professionals. And, once you've signed up to become a member, you can use the warehouse's studios and equipment as much as you'd like. In the works are a wood workshop, a printing studio, a blacksmith's forge, a photography studio (including a dark room) and a co-working office.

The space comes from &company, a design studio and all-round creative powerhouse responsible for a slew of pop-ups, exhibitions and events. Founder and CEO Anna Lise de Lorenzo has spent four years planning MakerSpace after she successfully crowdfunded the project back in 2012. "We want to reconnect people with the simple joy of making through access to hand­-making pottery, metalwork and woodwork," she says. "We're providing opportunities for people to make and repair things, to learn new skills and to collaborate ­— our agenda is to build a culture of innovation and excellence in Australian design, whilst strengthening the local community by bringing people together."

Classes for February and beyond are now up on the website, and are taking bookings. You just have to decide if you want to take up ceramics as a hobby, learn how to weld metals or try your hand at screen printing onto fabrics.

MakerSpace &company are located at 1/17 Barclay Street, Marrickville. For more info, visit makerspace.org.au.

Published on February 12, 2016 by Jasmine Crittenden
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