From preparing food in a cooking class to engraving a cutting board, repairing household appliances to creating artwork to display in your home, the opportunities to create and learn are endless at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Makerplace.
Now celebrating its third year, the Makerplace is the place where Arlington Heights and area residents can learn skills and gain experience to make almost anything.
The library will celebrate with the community at an Anniversary Party on September 22, from noon-3 p.m. at 112 N. Belmont Ave., where visitors can stop by and explore the free opportunities available, including using the latest technology and equipment, along with flexible workspaces and a commercial-grade kitchen. There will be live demos featuring the Makerplace’s new laser cutter, an embroidery machine and more.
Makerplace staff say that after three years of creating opportunities for making, creating and sharing, the biggest impact the Makerplace has had is in providing new ways for people to find community in Arlington Heights.
“I felt very excited that there’s a place for creatives and people who like to make things, because in art school, you’re just surrounded by creatives, but then when you are back in the suburbs, it’s a harder thing to come by,” said Raymond "RK" Liu, an origami artist and graphic designer.
Liu is one of many who’ve found a creative home within the Makerplace.
“I’m in there and people come and see my designs and are like, whoa, did you create that?,” said web and graphic designer Zoe Feast who uses recycled wood and the Makerplace’s laser cutter to create art pieces. “It’s very visual so people like to look and see it happening.”
While Liu and Feast are more experienced artists, the Makerplace’s classes allow people of any skill set to tap into their ideas.
Erin Kaiser, who has used the Makerplace more than a dozen times, says it all started with taking just one essentials skills class. “I wanted to get my feet wet, and the class was really well done,” Kaiser said. “To be able to affordably create and give really nice, unique gifts that people love feels really good.”
Art teacher Jonathan Pruc, who regularly uses the space to create mirrored acrylic art, says “It just takes practice,” and the Makerplace is a great opportunity to “learn on some pretty cool tools.”
Local makers continue to enthusiastically use the Makerplace and showcase how three years in, the Makerplace has developed and become a staple for the Arlington Heights community.
“It was so nice to feel like I was part of a community,” says Sarah Quilliam, who has taken a variety of classes from cooking to sewing. “That is what the Makerplace is doing...bringing people together who would never meet in their normal everyday life.”
Public classes are held each month along with meetup sessions for those who prefer a more casual experience. Examples of previous meetup sessions include Fiber Crafts, Cosplay Costume Making and Suburban Sketching.
Learn more at ahml.info/makerplace.