MOUNT VERNON — The Ariel Foundation Teen MakerSpace at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County launches spring programming on Tuesday, Jan. 19 with “take-and-make” craft bags available to patrons in grades 6 to 12.
The MakerSpace was established in 2015 and it remains one of the most popular programs in the library system, providing free STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities for area youth. With the help of MakerSpace Coordinators Morgan Durfee and Desiree Ragor, teen patrons have completed a wide range of creative projects in fabric arts, resin crafts, painting, jewelry-making, fashion design, robotics, digital video editing, and gaming.
Before the pandemic, weekly arts programs drew so many excited young attendees that the MakerSpace Coordinators offered each craft program hourly, for four hours straight, to meet patron demand.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Library temporarily closed the MakerSpace due to budget shortfalls. Programs were resuscitated when a grant from the Ariel Foundation provided support for the MakerSpace to launch remote programming in September 2020.
Since then, MakerSpace Coordinators have distributed over 350 free “Take and Make” craft bags. Each bag provides young artists with materials to construct a STEAM project at home, with help from video tutorials posted on the Library’s YouTube page.
In January, “Take and Make” craft bags will be available on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Each craft bag will contain two activities.
“We wanted to do some STEAM projects that are a little more sophisticated,” explained MakerSpace Coordinator Morgan Durfee. “The bi-weekly schedule lets us do that, and will give us time for some exciting projects.”
The first “Take and Make” craft bags will be available for pickup by noon on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Main Library.
MakerSpace coordinators Morgan Durfee and Desiree Ragor are themselves practicing artists. Ms. Durfee has a bachelors degree in Art and a minor in Graphic Design from Mount Vernon Nazarene University; Ms. Ragor is a lifetime crafter and self-taught artist who is a virtual Jill-of-All-Trades.
In addition to expert instruction in the arts, the MakerSpace Coordinators are dedicated to the teen patrons they serve.
“Kids are looking for a place to come and creatively express themselves with welcoming, caring adults,” says MakerSpace Coordinator Desiree Ragor.
Morgan Durfee adds, “This isn’t ‘school’ … we understand that everyone’s needs and interests are a little unique, and we want to cultivate that creative part of young people.”
The Ariel Foundation Teen MakerSpace practices both thrift and ecology by using upcycled and donated materials. Community members can donate leftover art supplies, textiles, craft materials, brushes and acrylic paint to the Library. Material donations are welcome, but space is limited, so please contact Erica Newton, Head of Youth Services at PLMVKC to make advance arrangements.
As with all Library activities, MakerSpace “Take and Make” craft bags are free of charge and available to the public; but patrons should bear in mind that craft bags are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and available only while supplies last. Please visit the library website at www.knox.net or contact Children’s Librarian Erica Newton at (740) 392-BOOK or email eoberlin@knox.net for more information.
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