By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Further details about Whitewater’s recently launched Makerspace chapter were unveiled recently.
Executive Director Brienne Diebolt-Brown came before the Common Council at its Nov. 19 meeting with details of the newly formed organization, which has a mission statement of “cross-pollinating ideas, becoming active and thoughtful consumers and becoming innovators who build healthy and sustainable communities.”
Diebolt-Brown laid out her vision for the nonprofit group, which received unanimous support by the Common Council. Makerspace chapters have been sprouting up across the country and frequently link people together with different skill sets.
“This is something that has the possibility of being a great value to the entire community,” Diebolt-Brown said. “We have a membership that’s starting to come together.”
The goal, Diebolt-Brown said, is to provide an inter-generational program that includes children, college-age students, people mid-career and older adults. Plans call for the local Makerspace chapter to mine some of the expertise within the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
In this early phase of Whitewater Makerspace, plans are still coming together. But Diebolt-Brown said the group already has plans of taking over the community garden site near the Innovation Center on the city’s east side.
In the future, Diebolt-Brown said it is possible the community gardens could include a greenhouse and, possibly, chicken coups.
“There are a lot of things you can do to make a community garden profitable – or at least sustainable,” Diebolt-Brown said.
Another possible vision is the creation of a commercial kitchen for entrepreneurs interested in creating and selling various food products.
Diebolt-Brown said she is enthusiastic about Whitewater Makerspace, particularly for youth, because it will offer them an opportunity to partake in hands-on activities and learn about their interests in real, tangible ways.
“Self-esteem comes from doing and making things,” she said. “That’s what we’re there for.”
According to its website, Whitewater Makerspace leaders say anyone is welcome to join the organization. However, rules may differ from one person to the next, depending on his or her age and skill set.
Members are required to sign a liability waiver, and training is required for tools considered dangerous.
For more information on Whitewater Makerspace, visit www.whitewatermakerspace.org.
