With your help and friendship, Make Studio was able to relocate from Woodberry to Hampden just over 2 years ago, in 2015.

Since then, we have doubled our number of studio artists with disabilities and served the wider community by establishing our art center in the historic Schwing Motors Building.

Here, in addition to our studio program, we now put on diverse exhibitions and a range of workshops, artist talks, convenings, and other inclusive programming for people of all abilities and ages year-round. All of which is, in our biased opinion, FANTASTIC and worthy of celebrating.

But, we have a problem.

Inside of our building -- again due to your help -- we've been able to create flexible, functional, and accessible gallery and studio spaces full of colorful art and activity. Yet we frequently hear that people don't know what's going on in our building, they're not sure how to find us, and they don't know that we want them to come in! 

It's past time for us to tackle welcoming in our community, and making a bigger mark in our neighborhood. But that is about to change! 

Thanks to the Hampden Community Council, we have been able to start the first phase of a building improvements project, the goal of which is to signal our organization's and our artists' presence and invite the community in. We now need your help to complete this project!

In Phase I, we've partnered with traditional hand-lettering expert Samantha Redles to complete 2-D painted signage on our façade. Designed in consultation with our artists, this custom sign will pay tribute to the history and character of our building.

During Phase II, we will improve entry and visibility into our space by significantly repairing or replacing our doors, and adding new gallery lighting.

To complete the project in Phase III, we will design and mount a lit 3-D sign inspired by Schwing Motors' original sign, as well as interchangeable mural panels.

Please help us usher in a new, artful era at Schwing! Our campaign ends on June 16th!