Anyone can be an artist, right? Lily Hotchkiss certainly thought so; 4½ years ago, this South End art teacher realized that art wasn’t reaching as many people as it should, so she concocted a community project, bought a truck and repurposed it into a mobile art lab.
The Makery has made its monthly way around South Seattle ever since, bringing art, inspiration and materials to young and old alike. Occasionally, the workshops are themed, but more often, the materials donated will determine the masterpieces created.
Lily and volunteers Jaala Smith and Melissa Bookwalter created the format, laying out what she termed “the provocation,” a table full of odds and ends. One month it might hold buttons or pipe cleaners. Another month, old magazines or metal candy containers. The supply options change depending on the suppliers. “The table is an open invitation to create,” says Lily. “When we make art materials accessible, it makes art accessible.” What makes this art even more accessible is the fact that The Makery is always free, always all-ages. Different generations can create side by side, learn from and be inspired by one another.
Speaking of generations, The Makery’s next one has just begun, with three energetic artists — Connie Jones Ostrowski, Amber Kai Morgan and Kathy Quenzer — who collectively have many years of art creation under their belts. Hailing from the Seattle Montessori preschool Magic Lantern, these “art-repeneurs” plan to continue the creativity and increase the accessibility of The Makery’s great program.
If 2015 is your year to de-clutter or downsize, consider contributing to The Makery’s donation wish list. They’re always looking for buttons, old maps, postcards and photographs, keys, fabric and attaching supplies like glue, tape, wire and thread. Your old junk can become a true treasure. The Makery is an affiliated program of Shunpike, so all donations are tax-deductible.
In January, The Makery began meeting monthly above the Collaboratory in Hillman City. It can also be found at Columbia City’s Full Tilt Ice Cream in February. For up-to-date pop-up event times and locations, find them on Facebook.
