MakerSphere expands after-school programming for fall

Aug. 24, 2022  |  By MK Monley, Dana Hudson, Toni Flynn

After-school studio art in spring 2022 included work with ceramics and paint/pen art. Photos courtesy MakerSphere

For years, students in Waterbury have been able to sign up for after-school art classes through MakerSphere at the Seminary Arts building in Waterbury Center.  These classes allowed students to decompress after a day at school, while exploring a mix of art media with a teaching artist. 

This fall, MakerSphere is expanding after-school opportunities by tripling the number of classes, including offering them at Crossett Brook Middle School.

Founded in 2018, MakerSphere is a nonprofit, community-based arts organization. The seeds for its creation came from Waterbury’s recovery from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. 

MakerSphere serves the greater Waterbury area by providing educational opportunities, workspaces, and access to tools in an effort to build a creative economy through arts, crafts, and trades. 

From the annual River of Light Lantern Parade to its membership-based pottery studio to its after-school and adult classes, MakerSphere’s educational programs and public events bring people together to share skills in art, making, and sustainability. 

And while MakerSphere champions art-making as an important way to build healthy communities, its philosophy also is firmly rooted in the belief that art feeds one's soul and teaches new skills. 

Interest in MakerSphere’s programs increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past four years, more than 800 individuals have taken part in approximately 100 classes. 

MakerSphere now will be running programs in three locations: Seminary Arts in Waterbury Center, the studios at 30 Foundry Street in downtown Waterbury, and Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury.

The youth programs this fall in particular will offer more variety. New classes at Crossett Brook include cooking, woodworking, upcycling/sustainability projects, and studio art. Those will run four days a week for students in grades 5-8. Fees vary slightly with most classes running for seven weeks at a cost of $230. 

Details on classes and registration is online at makerspherevt.com. Although some classes fill quickly, it is recommended that students opt to be waitlisted as additional groups may be added for popular classes. 

MakerSphere also offers a number of full and partial scholarships each year. Details and an application are on the website as well. 

In addition, MakerSphere is expanding adult and family offerings and continues to provide affordable studio spaces for local artists. 

MK Monley and Dana Hudson are MakerSphere board members; Toni Flynn is the organization’s administrator.