A community arts and crafts group is forming in Whitewater, according to information released by the Whitewater-based Wisconsin Makers group.
Those interested in joining the club are invited to attend an organizational meeting Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 4:30 p.m., at Wisconsin Makers, 200 E. Clay St., Whitewater.
According to the release, the club is the brainchild of Mike Alvarez, Whitewater, whose recent post on social media spurred interest in forming the club.
The club is meant to appeal to people of all ages and artistic abilities.
While the club is based in Whitewater, all area residents are invited to attend, the release stated.
“This club is for people interested in arts and crafts in general, from drawing and painting to paper art, pottery, woodcarving and pretty much anything art-related,” Alvarez was quoted as saying in the release.
As stated in the release, Alvarez is the owner of Handy Mike LLC, a handyman service. In his homeland of Puerto Rico, his art was a business, but in the United States, it is mainly a hobby.
“I do art almost every day. Even if I don’t feel that I want to draw, I draw everyday. I make myself to do it as a habit. It helps me with my anxieties. When I finish work, I do this and I feel so relaxed,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez said he decided to start the club after noticing how his two children, ages 11 and 13, sometimes were bored and needed a release after school, the news release continued, adding that Alvarez said: “Everything started because of my kids.”
According to the release, Alvarez said the Wisconsin Makers is the right venue because his vision for the club and the nonprofit organization share an educational mission.
“I thought that a makerspace is not only a place where we can show what we know, but we can learn from other people and share with the community,” Alvarez said within the release, adding that he plans to offer classes and expects that, in time, other artists will step forward to share their knowledge, as well.
“I think I am going to be teaching some drawing, painting visual arts, and then we can make other classes more hands-on, like woodworking, woodcarving and stuff like that. I want to integrate every part of the community, from the seniors to the little kids, so everyone can come and participate,” he said.
Alvarez, who is bilingual, said he also hopes to generate interest from the Hispanic community.
Those attending Wednesday’s meeting will be invited to brainstorm about the club.
Said Alvarez: “We can start by seeing what people’s interests are, which is great. I am like water. I take the shape that I need to take just to make it work. We want to have fun first and foremost, and then if you want to become a great artist, that is up to you. We want to spark imagination.”
As noted in the release, Alvarez said that he thinks the club will meet weekly on Thursdays. However, if there is enough interest, it could meet twice a week with classes on two different topics.
Club members need not join Wisconsin Makers to participate. Donations toward paying utilities are kindly appreciated, the release noted.
About Wisconsin Makers
According to the release, Wisconsin Makers is a makerspace that creates an affordable, collaborative and educational environment that inspires people of all ages to becoming innovators within their communities by unlocking their skills through continual training.
The organization draws its membership from Jefferson, Walworth, Rock and Waukesha counties and beyond. All members have access to the organization’s workshops around the clock. The facility houses machine, welding/fabrication, electronics, automotive, 3-D printing, laser engraving and woodworking shops. It also offers pottery, ceramics, metal art, quilting, fabric arts, and matting/framing.
Among it amenities, the building is handicapped accessible, has off-street parking and WiFi. For more information about the makerspace, contact Chris Spangler by phone: 920-728-2960.
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