Visual Arts Newsletter

Visual Arts Area Vision Statement: MakeICT Visual Arts Area will support a broad range of Art Appreciation and Learning. It is set as a classroom environment with materials and equipment to aid our members in their individual artistic exploration. We have an open work area in which to create and share.

October 2025

After discussion with assorted Artisans and people in-the-know, I have a vision of where I believe we should take the next steps for the Visual Arts Area. I see an environment in which someone can complete the sentence “I’ve always wanted to try (or learn how to) <fill in the blank>.” Materials, supplies, and equipment are being made available for anyone to use to do such things as Watercolor Painting, Drawing, Decoupage, Origami, Book binding, Desktop Publishing, Wire Sculpture; learning Color Theory, Lighting, Composition, Digital Photography, Social Media presentation, whatever may be reasonably accommodated.

INSTRUCTORS NEEDED! Please contact Timothy.York@makeict.org to help out. Remember: You don’t have to be an Expert to teach others, just an Enthusiast. People have asked when the next Book Art – When Librarians turn bad will be offered. Negotiations are underway to schedule the instructor. An Advanced class has also been discussed.

Transformation of the Visual Arts Area has begun. Anyone with materials in the area has been requested to remove them at this time. Unclaimed materials will become the property of MakeICT and dispositioned accordingly.

Limited short-term storage racks for projects in-process are being added, as well as various examples for inspiration.

Materials for use have been added to the Visual Arts Area –

Blank Canvases have been stocked for everyone’s usage. Water based Acrylic Paints have also been supplied along with an assortment of brushes. Note: NO OIL BASED PAINTS OR SOLVENTS FOR CLEANING WILL BE STOCKED. All paints and other materials will be water based. Please use the hall sink for cleaning of brushes before returning them to stock. If you use oils for painting, it is your responsibility to supply them, and remove them after use. All trash from any oil-based media usage must be placed securely in the OUTSIDE dumpster upon leaving for the day.

Yours in service, Timothy York – Visual Arts Area Lead

September 2025

August was a month to plan and regroup for the Visual Arts Area. A Maker-Hall Meeting to gather your input on what you wanted for the Area was held on August 12th, however attendance was rather sparse.

One thing identified was the need for Instructors! We all have our passion, and it might be something we can share with others. We are in a Makerspace, not a University. The “teachers” are us, the “students” are those wishing to learn something more or something new. Check with an Area Lead to see if you have something you can share with others. We are not necessarily Experts, but we are Enthusiasts. What can we share about for Visual Arts?

I have outside instructors available for some classes, but I would rather utilize our own folks to do some of the classes.

Note: I may have a repeat opportunity for Book Art (also known as “When Librarians Turn Bad”) in November for those of you that missed out this past time. Negotiations are underway. Internally, I have been approached about a Beginning Photography class, possible Watercolors class, Color & Composition class, Origami class, Sketching & Illustrating class(es), and Technical Drawing class. These are a partial list of what were proposed, and can be supported by the Visual Arts Area. We just need two things: the desire to make it happen, and the commitment of people to see that it does happen. You have to want it folks!

On the Calendar: Basic Drawing 101 – Fundamentals of Forms and Perspective, September 3rd, 10th. Basic Drawing 102 – Light and Shading, September 17th, 24th. These replace the Basic Drawing – Fundamentals of Form class originally offered in June.

Examples of Visual Arts works are being added to the room for inspection and critique by people visiting the Visual Arts area.

I welcome your input for the Visual Arts Area at VisualArts@makeict.org

Yours in service, Timothy York – Visual Arts Lead