Josh Williams
Open House Wrap + New Classes!
Open House Wrap + New Classes!
Makerspace
Josh Williams
Open House Oct. 13th + New Tracks + Last Chance ...
Open House Oct. 13th + New Tracks + Last Chance Wood Carving & Member Projects!!
Makerspace
Josh Williams
Wood carving, sewing maintenance, wood track, ...
Wood carving, sewing maintenance, wood track, laser projects and more!
Makerspace
Josh Williams
NEW Laser Shop Fab Track! Thank you Ella, ...
NEW Laser Shop Fab Track! Thank you Ella, Daniel, and Ben! Clean-up + Pizza & Game Night
Makerspace
Josh Williams
FREE Activities, New Metal Shop Fab Track, ...
FREE Activities, New Metal Shop Fab Track, Clean-up + Pizza & Game Night

Maker Works Celebrates 12 Years!

Maker Works Celebrates 12 Years in Washtenaw County with New Programming Initiative

Ann Arbor, MI, August 31, 2023 — Maker Works, a Community Maker Space, announces today, its NEW and transformative programming initiative to mark 12 years serving Washtenaw County residents. The initiative, which launches this month in August is just one reason to come out and celebrate at their 12th Anniversary Open House Celebration on September 17th from 2-5pm. With LIVE Demos and casual tours, Maker Works aims to feature their plans to deliver unique, transitional learning opportunities to the local community for the remainder of 2023 and beyond.

Throughout the past 12 years, Maker Works has been a key resource for residents and surrounding communities, providing a workspace and tool repository for members, as well as serving as an incubator for several small businesses in Washtenaw County. The new programming initiative seeks to further enrich the Maker Works community by introducing a broader range of creative programming designed to be more accessible to all.

The updated programming emphasizes the following experiences:
Safety Classes, Watch & Learns, Make & Takes, Bring Your Own Project opportunities, and Educational Resources and presentations. These innovative experiences are designed to accommodate individuals of various skill levels and interests, making the maker space more accessible and engaging to all.

"Our new initiative is about inspiring everyone, from the curious beginner to the seasoned hobbyist, to participate in our maker community," says Executive Director Josh Williams. "We're creating opportunities for anyone who wants to create, learn, or share their skills. We're also opening up opportunities for the public, our members, and staff to pass down their knowledge teaching classes and earn extra income."

The new initiative is designed not only to cater to the traditional "member" demographic but also to accommodate Experience Seekers, Learners, DIY’ers, Hobbyists, Object Makers, Gifters, Groups, Students, and Professionals alike. This inclusivity represents Maker Works' commitment to fostering a diverse and vibrant maker community and positive culture of welcoming.

About Maker Works

Maker Works, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is more than just a community-based workshop; it's a thriving hub of creativity and innovation nestled in the heart of Ann Arbor. Since 2011, it has served as an invaluable resource, empowering local residents and the surrounding communities with an inclusive workspace and an extensive tool repository.


At its core, Maker Works is committed to fostering an environment that is accessible and empowering for individuals of all skill levels. Driven by this commitment, it continuously expands its unique and engaging programming. The aim is not only to ignite creativity but also to stimulate lifelong learning and foster meaningful collaboration within the community.

As Maker Works evolves, it remains dedicated to its mission: To democratize access to the tools of innovation, ensuring that everyone, from the budding hobbyist to the seasoned maker, has the resources and opportunities they need to bring their ideas to life.



Maker in Residence Update: Adventures in Laser Town

Maker in Residence Update: Adventures in Laser Town

A few weeks ago we welcomed Cameron Knox, a local film screener and artist, as our current Maker in Residence. He’s currently working towards his goal of producing a 60 second short film exploring the “magnitude and brevity of the human gene” via the tools we have at the shop. Read on to see what he’s been up to and be sure to introduce yourself when you see him in the shop!

Maker Feature: Zachary Malott

Maker Feature: Zachary Malott

Zachary may only be 12 years old, but he’s been coming along to Maker Works with a parent for years. This early introduction to making gave him the courage to learn how to use the Epilog Lasers and launch his own business: Table Top Tinkerers. When he isn’t busy making TTRPG accessories, you can find him doing Job Board tasks around the shop to fund the cost of his membership. Read on to discover more about this inspiring young entrepreneur!

Maker Feature: Laura Earle

Maker Feature: Laura Earle

Laura is an artist, independent curator, and veteran member of the Maker Works community. Her work focuses on starting cultural conversations around social justice, climate change, and racial equality. She’s well versed in nearly all the tools found in our shop. In fact, all of the pieces pictured in this interview (and the ones on her website made from wood or steel) were fabricated at Maker Works!

Maker Feature: Thomas Tusano

Maker Feature: Thomas Tusano

The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic changed things for a lot of makers—without access to the community spaces they were used to relying on, they had to adjust and figure out a new way of doing things. This is one of the factors that brought Thomas of Tusano Trading Co. to Maker Works. Since then he’s built new skills, grown his business, and has developed working relationships with other members at the shop. Read on to hear what he has to say about the community of creatives that makes our shop unique and why it’s such a vital resource.

Maker Feature: Yuye Elina Zhang

Maker Feature: Yuye Elina Zhang

It’s a familiar situation for art school graduates: you have access to top-of-the-line equipment in school, but as soon as you leave the program, you’re on your own. For some, this lack of resources forces them to leave their trade behind. Thankfully, some artists like Yuye get support from Artist in Residence programs like the one at Maker Works. After getting her MFA in Metal and Jewelry Arts, Yuye applied to our 6 month residency program and gained free access to the tools she needed to continue producing beautiful work.

Maker Feature: Erika Cross

Maker Feature: Erika Cross

Erika Cross is a Michigan local and a holder of art and design degrees from the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and The Royal College of Art. Though she still works out of her home state, her creations have garnered praise and won awards around the globe. You’ll often find her taking a hands-on design approach in the Maker Works woodshop or collaborating with other makers in our common spaces. To learn more about how she turns our community makerspace into a haven for creative experimentation, keep reading!

The future is yours to make!