Creative Studios
What is Creative Studios?
What began as a Makerspace and regular arts & crafts programming at Mammen Family Public Library (MFPL) has evolved into a new ecosystem of creative discovery. We invite you to join this creative journey and explore art mediums as well as cutting edge creative technologies through classes, Open Studio times and take-home projects.
The studios are organized by similar methods of making, but our mission is to facilitate the inspiration, lifetime love of learning and opportunities to connect with a broader creative community that happen across them. Find us in the Makerspace room and let’s see what we can make together!
Much of the MFPL’s original Makerspace equipment was funded through generous grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Texas State Library and Archives (TSLAC).
Who can participate?
Adults (and youth ages 10+ with an adult) are eligible to attend Creative Studio programs. Some programs may be restricted to adults and/or youth ages 13+ only, the online calendar listing for each program will specify approved ages. Youth under 18 will have the opportunity to explore creative projects and equipment without an accompanying adult during select youth programs such as STEM Day, Tween Club, and Teen Thursday.
Please note: Additional siblings or children who are not registered participants may not attend, even as observers. This policy ensures a safe and focused environment for all attendees and instructors.
Classes
Register online for classes to Discover and Create!
Discover programs are designed as an introduction to a craft/hobby, and typically feature step-by-step instructions for attendees to all walk away with similar end projects.
Create programs are designed to teach specific skills under the advice of an instructor, but allow you to decide exactly what your project is and what it looks like.
Open Studios
Open Studio programs provide space, tools, and materials for attendees to work on their own projects at their own pace, with more free-form guidance from Staff.
You must have an MFPL Library of Things card in good standing to participate in Open Studio times. This card type also allows you to borrow items from the Library of Things for home use. Visit the Library of Things webpage to learn more.
Take & Make and Community Projects
Take & Make projects are craft kits and creative prompts designed to be completed at home. Some projects may be submitted for MFPL community collaborations and displays.
You must have an MFPL Library of Things card in good standing to participate in Take & Make projects. Register online and pick up your kit in the Makerspace during one of the designated times.
MFPL Creative Studios consists of seven different studios for our patrons to discover! In each studio you can create using different tools and equipment. Most studios will also have Open Studio times for you to hone your skills at your own pace. View what makes each studio unique below.
- Art mediums: explore a variety of art mediums including watercolor, acrylics, oil pastels and more.
- Assistive Equipment: Make use of the light box or transparency projector for tracing and mapping out compositions. We also have a matboard cutter and a variety of paper cutters.
- Kiln: We offer a regular free firing schedule for personal bisque (clay) and glaze projects as well as ceramics classes and opportunities for hand-building and glazing. The kiln and clay tools are not available for Open Studio times.
- Sublimation Station: Epson ecotank printer with sublimation ink and a number of heat press configurations to make hats, mugs, t-shirts, bags, puzzles, earrings and more!
- Cricut and similar machines: Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Maker, Cricut Joy, Brother Scan-n-Cut, Heidi Minc Swapp Foiling.
- Hand Crafting: Hand-press die cutting (Ellison with wood dies and Big Shot with Thinlets), button makers, and a variety of hand-crafting tools and kits.
- Small Appliances: Kitchen Aid mixer, Blenders, cooktops, and more.
- Assorted Equipment: Pasta makers, sushi kits, mandolian slicer, salad spinners, and more.
Interested in teaching cooking classes? Reach out to programs@mfplibrary.org.
Check out the Library of Things for Kitchen Studio items you can use at home!
- 3D Printers: Prusa CORE One and Bambu P1s. We teach Prusa Slicer (a free software) and free online sources such as Tinkercad (3D model creation and more). You can download free models on Thingiverse.com , Printables.com and Makerworld.com. Prusa MK4 coming to the Library of Things soon!
- Laser Engraving & Cutting: Glowforge Pro and Epilog Zing. We use a number of free design softwares like Canva, Inkscape and Google Drawings to create files for cutting & engraving select wood, acrylic, leather, ceramics and aluminum nameplates and pet tags.
- Audio/Visual Equipment: Explore a variety of photo-studio equipment such as lighting and green screen. Learn on the library’s Nikon DSLR and Canon XA50 (4K video). We also have Yeti mics available for podcasting and ASMR exploration.
- Electronics: Explore Raspberry Pi and Arduino kits–classes and expertise coming soon!
- Digitizing Equipment: Convert those old home videos from VHS or camcorder 8mm tapes to digital formats or DVD’s. We also have an 8mm reel film-to-digital movie maker and cassette tape converter.
- Software: We use a variety of free softwares and online programs for design and digital fabrication on desktops, laptops and tablets.
- String Instruments: Guitar, ukulele, and dulcimer
- Other: Keyboard
Attend Discover: Dulcimer semi-monthly; more classes are coming soon!
Check out the Library of Things for Music Studio items you can use at home!
- Sewing: Janome 8077 sewing machines and a Brother Serger
- Embroidery: Brother SE700.
- By hand: explore a handful of ways to make fiber crafts from visible mending to crochet. Check out the Library of Things for knitting and weaving kits.
- CNC Router: Makita router / CNC table capable of cutting into roughly 34” x 13” materials such as wood and soft metal plates. We use Carbide Create (free version) to design and Carbide Motion (free) to control the table. Check out Cutrocket.com for ideas and project instructions.
- Other equipment: A variety of power tools and larger woodworking equipment. For a full list ask for the woodworking descriptions handout. *Offered during cooler/ optimal weather.
Materials: We keep select materials on hand for current classes, but patrons may purchase small amounts at the posted prices and we always have a handful of scrap material for learning the equipment and testing designs. Materials for use in our Glowforge must be Proofgrade.
Contact Creative Studios
Please use this form for any questions you might have regarding Creative Studio equipment and materials. Due to the limited number of staff available, it may be 48-72 hours before you receive a response. Thank you! For general questions about creative programs and other library programs reach out to programs@mfplibrary.org