We are a small, local learning center specializing in Art integrated with Academics, also known as S.T.E.A.M. Our family-friendly makerspace is coming to downtown Maynard this fall. We will be open to all ages, with programming starting at age 3 and going up through adults. smARTroom will offer classes for all ages, open studio time, birthday parties, corporate workshops, and more.
Imagine a colorful, one-room-schoolhouse where everyone is enjoying hands-on projects that we create together, guided by friendly instructors who are passionate about learning. That's smARTroom!
![]()
Above is a potential layout for smARTroom.
Our Mission:
smARTroom is a greater Maynard community resource where everyone can benefit from interdisciplinary art education (STEAM). Our goal is to foster a fun environment in which a diverse group of learners can discover, create, and grow together.
![]()
Here's our space, waiting to be filled with smARTists!
What’s unique about smARTroom?
With our daily schedule of activities for all ages, we are the only art-focused STEAM learning center in New England. Why is STEAM so important? Because it takes the work out of learning and makes it fun! Adding a hands-on creative aspect to education makes it easy for everyone to enjoy learning. STEAM teaches innovation. STEAM teaches idea generation. STEAM teaches how to love learning!
smARTroom is a place where you can delve deep into a subject: get obsessed with making art about cellular structures, learn the technology to make rainbow lights flash to your favorite song, figure out how to make your own moving wings for a steampunk Batman costume . . . And we’ll help! At smARTroom we want you to be able to research a subject and then bring it to life!
Start young, and keep going. We want kids at smARTroom, but we want teens and grown-ups, too. Adults tinkering with STEAM ideas and projects are great role models and inspiration for younger learners. Come join us - no matter who you are or what your creative and/or learning interests are!
Who are we?
The smARTroom founders are Aimee Ledwell and Zach Woods. Aimee has a background as an art teacher, with a Masters degree in art education, and certification in three different areas. Zach is an historic reenactor and period clothing expert with experience in documentary film and production and a strong technical background. Both are passionate lifelong learners.
![]()
This is Aimee. Her hair changes almost daily.
![]()
This is Zach. His beard changes almost daily.
Why Maynard?
We have a terrific space for smARTroom at 79 Main Street in Maynard. The location was once a hair salon, and therefore has tile floors, bathrooms and plumbing already in place - ideal for a school! Maynard is a hub in the center of several larger towns (historically it was a planned industrial community carved out of all those surrounding towns), which makes it a convenient location for lots of folks to visit. It has a walkable downtown with many restaurants, art galleries and businesses, making it easy to do all your errands in one stop and still have time for coffee. smARTroom is looking forward to events like Maynard Fest in the fall, the Sip and Stroll in December and the spring ArtWalk. There is also a vibrant Farmers’ Market in the summer months, which brings many people downtown on Saturdays.
![]()
Why be a backer for smARTroom?
Do you know what’s ridiculously expensive? Chairs. You wouldn’t think so, but getting quality chairs in the quantities we need adds up very quickly. We need a bunch of different chairs sized for toddlers, kids, AND adults. We want them to be durable and cheerful, so you won’t have to sit in wobbly IKEA folding chairs (and even 30 of those adds up to $390!). In addition, research shows that kids learn better when they can move. One recent classroom innovation that you’ll find in some progressive schools is integrating stability ball chairs into the learning space:
Chicago Tribune: Exercise Balls in the Classroom?
Oregon Live: Exercise balls replace chairs in a Maplewood Elementary fourth-grade classroom (video)
![]()
Stability balls have proven to help kids focus and learn better. We’d love to have a lot of these ball style chairs in a variety of sizes, but to have enough of them for a class adds up fast. 10 each of 3 sizes is a whopping $768.50! Add that to our wobbly folding chair budget and we’ve already spent more than $1000 without even getting some solid chairs for those who might prefer not to wiggle. Phew!
Repair our light table.
A generous local artist donated a photographic light table to us. Unfortunately, it had an accident on its way to smARTroom and got damaged. Repairing it is a fraction of the cost of buying a new one, but repairs will still cost us about $500.
Why have a light table? So we can play with x-rays:
![Roylco, Inc. Human X-Rays on Film]()
and talk about the work of artists like Nick Veasey:
![]()
or play with Magna-Tiles, discuss geometry and build our own geodesic domes:
![]()
Speaking of Magna-Tiles and X-rays, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a huge collection of both to play with? The more budget we have, the more cool toys and equipment we’ll have for you to enjoy when you visit smARTroom. Instead of having a small stash of Magna-Tiles, we’ll have enough to build a fortress. Instead of having to share a single microscope, we can have enough of them for a whole class.
100pc Magna-Tiles set: $112 each x 3 = $336
Putting the T in STEAM
Technology is essential to smARTroom. We want kids to be fluent in working with technology so they can become future tech innovators. But that means we have to have the tech, maintain the tech, and keep upgrading the tech as it becomes obsolete.
On our short list:
Inexpensive, sturdy, digital cameras like this one:![]()
Coleman Xtreme II
We’d love to have a digital photography class, but that requires enough cameras to give one to each student for the duration of the class, more if we want to lend them out to students so they can take photos out in the world. Even at the relatively inexpensive pricetag of $70, that’s $700 for just 10 of them, or $1400 if we want to have 20. Without you, we’ll be able to have a couple on hand, but having enough of them for a class may have to wait.
Digital whiteboard:
From the National Education Association:
“Fundamentally, an interactive whiteboard combines a dry erase whiteboard with an LCD projector and is usually mounted on a wall or floor stand. Powered by easy-to-use software, the whiteboard becomes a computer screen viewable by an entire classroom.”
National Education Association: Interactive Whiteboards Enhance Classroom Instruction and Learning
Drying racks:
Blick: Portable Drying Racks
![40-Shelf Drying Rack with 18" × 24" Shelves]( "40-Shelf Drying Rack with 18\" × 24\" Shelves")
These might seem kind of boring in comparison to the other fun stuff, but they are essential to a functioning art room. Imagine we have a couple of classes where we are painting. After those classes, there may be 40 or more wet sheets of paper, possibly dripping paint. Where do we put them all? Do we spread them out on every available counter space? Do we send them home to leave purple paint patches in your car and on your couch? NO! The answer is out there, and it is a drying rack. This one that holds forty 18x24” sheets? $642. Ouch. Can you help? Yes, you can!
So what exactly do we need?
$ 768.50 ball chairs
$ 1834.41 Digital Whiteboard
$ 579.95 Projector
$ 500.00 repair light table
$ 1400.00 microscopes (20)
$ 1400.00 cameras (20)
$ 642.00 drying rack
$ 1,127.80 snap circuits rovers (20)
$ 336.00 magna tiles
$ 987.50 robotics and engineering kits
Total:
$ 9573.16
What's in it for me?
Not only do you get to come to
smARTroom and play with all our cool stuff, we have some excellent perks for our IndieGoGo supporters. Get some original art, participate in an exclusive event, or get exclusive, introductory pricing on your
smARTroom membership. See the perks descriptions for more details.
![]()
Above: original spin art from our smARTists is just one awesome perk!
Even if you can't contribute financially, you CAN help. Pass the word! Tell people about
smARTroom and our fundraiser. Share the news on social media. Get the word out that
smARTroom is coming to Maynard, and it's going to be fantastic!
smARTroom belongs to YOU!
Our vision for smARTroom is to be a nonprofit community resource. We want everyone to feel comfortable visiting our one-room schoolhouse and hanging out with while we make things together. We’d love to host your book club or knitting group in the evenings. We also want to be able to offer scholarships to students who may find class fees outside of their budget. We look forward to you volunteering to teach a workshop or assist with an event. smARTroom will be a hub in your community that reaches out to teens and seniors in addition to kids and their families. We want to be there for YOU.
Help us go from “Wow, Cool!” to “Woah, AWESOME!” by backing smARTroom. We need YOU to make smARTroom the truly extraordinary place it can be.
FAQ about our fundraiser:
Q: Do you get the money even if you don't make your goal?
A: YES!
Q:Why do you need to raise funds?
A: Our startup capital is mostly going to building the studio. The space was previously a hair salon, so we need to make a updates. We are putting in new sinks and electrical outlets, taking down one wall and covering another, and giving everything a fresh coat of paint. Then there are things like tables, chairs, storage, phones, and all the basic items that make the space usable. It adds up FAST.
Q:Aren't you a business? Can't you take out a loan?
A:We are a nonprofit startup, and would prefer not to start out in debt. Eventually, we hope to receive grant funding to help fund things like technology and scholarships, but until then we could use a little help from our friends.
Q:What will the money be spent on?
A:UPGRADING the programs we can offer right away. For example: instead of having one microscope to share between students during open studio time, we can have enough for a whole class to do microscopic drawings together. Doing things together builds momentum, allows us to share our ideas, and get feedback from the group.
Q: Is smARTroom just for kids?
A: NO! We will have programming for teens and adults as well. There will be artists in residence at smARTroom using it as a studio space. We'll offer lunchtime and evening meet ups for working adults, and even have plans for corporate workshops.
Q: Are you just offering classes?
A: Nope, we will have open studio time so YOU (yes, you) can come in and make what YOU want! We are just here to help!
Q: Are you hiring?
A: In the future we may offer internships and paid positions, but right now we are looking for volunteers. If you'd like to find out more about volunteering, email redshoegirl@gmail.com
http://www.mysmARTroom.org/
Facebook: mysmARTroomlunteers. If you'd like to find out more about volunteering, email redshoegirl@gmail.
If you have further questions, email redshoegirl@gmail.com or visit:
http://www.mysmARTroom.org/
Facebook: mysmARTroom
