Susan Parker described Project Inspire Cooperative, the brain child of Dave Pump, CEO of PDI. The Project provides job exploration and actual jobs for people with diverse abilities. The grand opening is this Friday, 24 July, 6-9 pm, with early bird specials from 4-6. The Chambers of Commerce will do a ribbon cutting. There will be drawings, discounts, a BBQ food truck, ice cream, and beer and wine. Six artisans are currently part of the Cooperative, including Ladoris Burton. The event will be completely COVID compliant, including temp check with masks. Enter from Prairie Blvd, near the southside Lowe’s. You can also shop on line at projectinspire.community.
Jen Johnston is the 4-H Youth Development agent with CSU Extension in Pueblo. Originally from Pueblo, Jen joined Extension here in September 2019. She loves what she does. She described 4-H including its positive impacts on youth and then several people (Lois, Elliott, Gregg) talked about their involvement in 4-H and its huge positive effect on their lives. Year-long 4-H projects for each member cover a range of topics, such as gardening, rocketry, clothing, leadership, vet science, dog training, photography, on and on. There is a project for every kid. The 4-H philosophy is “Learning by doing” which fits perfectly with Pueblo Makes. Participants must keep a record and reflect on their learning. Virtual programming due to COVID has included a live chicken cam to watch chicks hatch and a Youtube channel. They are holding a virtual county fair now. Jen’s contact info is: Jen Johnston, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Colorado State University – Pueblo County, 701 Court St. Suite C, Pueblo, CO 81003-3064, Work Phone: (719) 583-6566, Email: johnstonje@pueblocounty.us. They are always looking for volunteers.
Emily Gradisar described changes happening at TickTock Pueblo, including moving to 111 Central Plaza (next to Bistoro), eliminating the café, still offering classes, still providing space for makers to rent (with more and bigger spaces at the new location), and the introduction of the opportunity for people to buy art kits for making, either on site or at home. TickTock will purchase kits from local artists (not commission, purchased outright) to support local artists. Talk to Emily if you have an idea for kits; she will be doing bulk buying of common components and wants to avoid duplication in kits. Email Emily at info@ticktockpueblo.com for inquiries about workspaces or kits.
Ina Bernard, the co-owner of Artisan Textile Company, described the company’s roots in the hand weaving sale each winter at the Vail Hotel. ATC, located in the Mesa junction at 121 Broadway Avenue (next to Gypsy Java), has weaving, knitting, felting, lace making, paper making, and more made by artists who sell on consignment. Currently there are two artists in residence. She showed us many products including yarn in various Pueblo colors, hand knitted pullovers, shawls, scarves, jewelry, cards, candles, honey, and soaps, all hand made by local artists.
Gregg White, the department chair of the PCC Advanced Manufacturing program, described his family roots in manufacturing, including a blacksmith ancestor. He came to Pueblo 22 years ago as a machinist and has been at PCC for 18 years. Machinists build everything you touch, or at least had a hand in it. Advanced Manufacturing is a traditional 2-year program open to everyone who wants to work with their hands. The demand for graduates is great all over the country. Students learn how to use hand tools up to lathes, mills, CNC, CAD, and CAM. It is a wide and diverse field, like the Pueblo Makes group. Tim described his training in the program, including Gregg’s taking students to Kansas City for a competition. One PCC group (precision machining) placed first in the nation and another group placed second. Gregg recommend the videos at Edge Factor. Gregg can be contacted at Gregg.white@pueblocc.edu.
Drew is now principal at PSAS (cue applause) and is planning for fall during this strange time. They will be doing some education in person and also some offerings online for families. They will continue to provide opportunities for kids to make and to connect kids with experts in the field by remote connection. No parents or volunteers will be allowed in the building. They have maker materials in the school. Drew can be contacted at dhirshon@psas.ws.
Jane described a small group she has pulled together to support makerspaces in Pueblo. They are working on a directory of such spaces. She also suggested that Pueblo Makes can support families in home schooling. Tim announced that Steel City Makers decided, in the current climate and considering financials, to disband. We are exploring other ways to use available resources in makerspaces, including Lane’s excellent woodworking and other equipment. Zach reminded us to use Reddit to connect and share ideas.
Pueblo Makes meets the third Tuesday of each month. The August Pueblo Makes meeting will be Tuesday, 18 August, 3:30-5 pm via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84158525191?pwd=K1lsQWRSQy83Q1NLVXZxQzlBOUw2Zz09
The video recording of this meeting will be available until 18 August at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yMVfBOzVyjJJeYn29H7cVawsRbXnaaa81SlL-6BbxEoi3clRQvtIIirzXjd0PQ_I