Our Mission
Our mission is to support and promote the teaching, learning, and practicing of art and crafts.
Our Vision
We believe that everyone in our community should have access to the tools, equipment, and space to create, experiment, and learn. Whether you're a hobbyist, a professional, or simply curious about exploring a new skill, the cost of equipment and the space required can be significant barriers. With limited access to arts education and dedicated creative spaces in schools, The Makerspace 97058 will offer a vital resource for students and lifelong learners alike, providing opportunities to develop hands-on skills, foster creativity, and bring ideas to life.
Our board
Serena Smith - President
I received my BA from the University of Washington in philosophy and BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in glass. I have made a career of making things with glass, including lampwork, fusing, and casting. I've created work in a variety of other mediums including weaving in recent years.
I started the Makerspace project because I love to teach but found it frustrating to travel to another place where there were no local teachers or facilities, and at the end of the class I would pack up my equipment and go home, leaving my students with no local support to continue practicing what I had taught them. I want to have a facility where members create a community where they can practice their own craft, possibly develop their work into a profitable career, as I have had the good fortune to do, and learn from each other and teach other people the skills they have learned.
Rhonda Starling - Treasurer
I am currently serving as Treasurer for The Makerspace 97058, where I handle the organization’s bookkeeping and fulfill the reporting responsibilities of the Treasurer. My professional background includes more than 40 years of experience in bookkeeping and business management. Before retiring in September 2025, I fiscally managed approximately 60 federal, state, and local grants for a nonprofit organization in Washington.
Community involvement has always been important to me. I previously served as President of Main Street Mosier and have participated in numerous volunteer projects in my community.
My creative interests are wide-ranging and always evolving. I enjoy quilting and creating with fabric and wool, including felting and applique. I also like creating art using paper, including paper collage, sculpted flowers and folded-paper art. I also enjoy working with wood and building furniture. I love learning, experimenting, and discovering new ways to turn materials into something useful, beautiful, or simply fun.
Pam Westland - Secretary
Pam serves as the board secretary and has been a board member since the start of the Makerspace. Her background includes 35 years in finance and banking, and she has served on a number of non profit board in Southern Oregon and locally in The Dalles.
Pam has a degree in Art Education from Oregon State University. She has a lifelong passion for supporting accessibility to the arts for all ages and believes the Makerspace is an important part of a thriving arts community.
An avid quilter and also enjoys learning about the history of the gorge.
Each of our studios has a steward who is familiar with the equipment and rules and are a resource for our members.
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Bailey Hillard - Pottery
(and Roller Derby Queen!)
Dave Cutler - Glass
(and many other things!)
Nancy Skakel - Fiber Arts
(and amazing felter!)
Colin Vaughan - Woodshop
The Makerspace 97058 is so fortunate to have connected with Marlis Rufener in 2025, the owner of the property we are located on. This amazing farm is on 15 acres and has several buildings that we are using, plus more for expansion or other creative uses! The buildings were built by members of the Rundell family, some of whom still live in the area.
Thank you so much, Marlis!
It is so inspiring to be sharing equipment and work space with such creative, talented people who also love making things. I am delighted that the Makerspace has chosen to locate on this very special farm.
My background is in Architectural design and construction and more recently, orchard farming. But I have always enjoyed sewing, cooking, spinning and weaving wool from my own sheep and alpacas, making jewelry, fusing warm glass, and now playing with clay.
I will always be inspired to learn new things -there are so many good people here to learn from. For me, this can be a great antidote to the larger frustrations and issues in our world. A retreat of sorts.
FAQs
Our facility is located at 4510 Browns Creek Road in The Dalles.
Classes and events are open to the public unless otherwise specified.
Do I have to be a member to use the Makerspace?
You can use the Makerspace while participating in a class or event, but otherwise you have to be a member.
If I am a member, can I bring friends or family members to use the space when I am there?
No. All users (other than students participating in a class) must be members themselves. We may have family memberships in the future.
Can I let someone else use my membership if I am not actively using the Makerspace?
No, think of it like an individual gym membership.
Why do you charge fees for using some of the equipment?
There are two main reasons. First, some equipment uses electricity, or other consumable material like oxygen or gas that we will have to replenish. Second, equipment needs maintenance and sometimes replacement. The fees we charge go into funds which will be used to ensure equipment continues to be available to users.
How do I make sure a piece of equipment is available when I need to use it?
We will have an online sign up system where you reserve a block of time to use a piece of equipment or station. If there is a fee, you will pay that online when you reserve your slot.
Can I take tools and equipment home to work on my project?
No. Equipment and tools must stay at the Makerspace unless expressly permitted.
What are the “open studio” hours?
As a grassroots community project driven by members, the open studio hours may vary until we can hire a facilities manager to keep the Makerspace open more regular hours. If you plan to use the Makerspace on a regular schedule, you can help us be open regular hours (unlocking when you arrive and making sure the buildings are empty before locking up when you leave). Members are encouraged to work together and communicate while we work these details out.
Can I teach workshops at the Makerspace?
Yes! Classes are limited to 10 students. You must offer a 10% discount to Makerspace members. For members, the facility use fee is $10 per hour of instruction time and includes use of community tools and equipment for your students. You must reserve any equipment and pay any equipment fees, just as you would for your own use as a member. Beyond that, how you manage your class, what you charge, is up to you. If you are not a member and would like to teach a class at our facility, please email themakerspace97058@gmail.com with questions or submit this form.
Can I take classes at the Makerspace if I am not a member?
Yes. If you are a member you will also receive a 10% discount.
If I have a problem at the Makerspace, who should I contact?
If you or another member is injured, call 911. If you have a problem with equipment or the facilities, we will have volunteer stewards who are familiar with each area of the Makerspace. You can contact Serena at themakerspace97058@gmail.com if you are unsure who to reach out to.
The Makerspace 97058 liability waiver for students
Safety and conditions of use
I agree that I am personally responsible for my safety and actions while using the Makerspace. I agree to use the Makerspace facilities, tools, equipment, and materials in a safe way, and to utilize safety gear appropriate for each task in which I engage. I will not use equipment that I have not been approved to use by Makerspace personnel. I will comply with all Makerspace policies and rules, including but not limited to all Makerspace policies, guidelines, signage, and instructions. I agree that I shall be responsible to pay any applicable fees for use of Makerspace facilities, tools, equipment, or materials, and for any and all damage, loss, or clean-up caused by my use of the same. Because the Makerspace is open for use by other individuals, I recognize that confidentiality is not and cannot be promised. I understand that I am responsible for properly monitoring and labelling anything I bring into the Makerspace buildings or property, and that the Makerspace is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen property.
Assumption of the risk
I recognize and agree that my use of the Makerspace facilities, tools, equipment, and materials is entirely optional and voluntary. I further understand and agree that such use involves various inherent hazards, dangers, and risks, including without limitation, and only by way of example, the risk of trips, slips and falls; cuts, broken bones, burns, and other wounds to hands, head, feet, eyes and other body parts; serious personal injury and illness, paralysis, permanent disability, and even possibly death; electrical shock; impalement; exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, noise, and vibrations; and accidents due to negligence of other users or Makerspace personnel, volunteers or vendors, or due to defective or inadequate facilities, equipment, tools, machinery, materials, or due to inadequate maintenance or repair, training, instructions, supervision, first aid and medical treatment, or safety gear. I assume full responsibility for any risks of loss, damage, or personal injury, including death, that I may sustain, or any loss or damage to property I own, as a result of being engaged in such activity, whether caused by the negligence of the Makerspace or otherwise.
Release of liability
With full awareness and appreciation of the risks involved, I, for myself and on behalf of my family, spouse, estate, heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and personal representatives, hereby forever release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Makerspace 97058 board members, officers, agents, servants, volunteers, independent contractors, affiliates, employees, successors, and assigns (collectively the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, directly or indirectly arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me or any of the property belonging to me, whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties, any third-party using the Makerspace, or otherwise, while participating in any activity while in, on, or around the Makerspace buildings or property and/or while using any Makerspace facilities, tools, equipment, or materials.
Indemnification
I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, claims, lawsuits, judgments, losses, and/or liabilities (including attorney fees) arising either directly or indirectly from or related to any and all claims made by or against any of the Released Parties due to bodily injury, death, property damage, loss of use, monetary loss, or any other injury from or related to my use of the Makerppace facilities, tools, equipment, or materials, whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise.
Minor Consent
If Participant is under the age of eighteen (18) years old, the parent or legal guardian of Participant (in either event, the “Guardian”) must execute this Release on behalf of Participant prior to Participant’s entry and use of the Facility.
Acknowledgment
By registering for classes and events I acknowledge and represent that I have read the foregoing Waiver of Liability, understand it and agree to it voluntarily as my own free act and deed, including without limitation the Release of Liability and Indemnification requirements contained in Sections 3 and 4; I am sufficiently informed about the risks involved in using the Makerspace to decide whether to sign this document; no oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement, have been made; and I execute this document for full, adequate, and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by the same. I agree that this Wavier of Liability shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Oregon law, and that if any of the provisions hereof are found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall be enforced as fully as possible and the unenforceable provision(s) shall be deemed modified to the limited extent required to permit enforcement of the Wavier of Liability as a whole.
An electronic signature or acknowledgment of agreement upon this contract is fully binding and enforceable.