Create a mixed-use creative space

MANSFIELD — Mansfield has a deep history of manufacturing and innovation, and is also developing a deep and diverse creative community.

While there are many existing creative spaces, they generally operate as separate units with little overlap or sharing of resources.

A multi-use creative maker-space would serve to inspire the next generation of makers and entrepreneurs as well as provide a hub for the creative community to swap skills and connect with each other.

We asked Orie Rush, one of the designers of this plan, to share the thought process on this idea.

“Having worked in shared workspaces before I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration when it comes to creative pursuits, and I think it’s an energy that can have a positive impact on a larger audience and in a broader context,” Rush said.

“Exposing people to the act of creation and it’s different applications can be a life changing experience – even if they aren’t ‘creatively inclined,’ many people can find a spark within a nourishing environment and carry it with them. 

“For existing makers, I think having a common hub is a powerful tool for forming community and building new skills. The more problem solvers we can generate, the more innovative solutions I think we can come up with,” Rush said.

A multi-use creative maker-space would be beneficial for local artists and visionaries, like Lee McIntosh (pictured above)

“As I’ve built out my personal makerspace along with other creatives I know, we’ve begun to collect some common themes and practices that can be useful for up and coming makers.

“There’s been excitement when we’ve talked about having a shared workspace in addition to our personal spaces, so I think that we could pool our knowledge to create a space that builds off of our experience and opens it up to other creatives as well,” Rush said.

“Space selection is important – a good makerspace must inspire you, which can be a vague task. That said, there are multiple buildings downtown that I think could work well for the makerspace format and time will tell which of them might be the best fit.”

In order to make sure that creatives and idea generators want to stay in Mansfield and that they’re well nourished with community and resources, they need a place to make connections and have the potential to cross-pollinate skills and ideas.

With a focus on bringing ideas to life, the space will focus on accessible physical mediums such as drawing and sculpture, while also introducing 3D printing as another tool for creatives to explore.

A creative hub

Having a centrally located rallying point for creative assets within the city would increase the connectivity between each venue and each creator, some of which may have less exposure on average, and give a cohesive look at the creative pulse of the community.

It can also be used as a smaller venue downtown for music or other community shows, widening the creative net.

A creative funnel

Along with offering a suite of tools that work in sync with each other to best bring an idea to life, the space can also offer classes and demonstrations by local makers to give the public a casual and accessible entry point to art, manufacturing, and product generation.

Attendees are more likely to then take deeper classes or pursue avenues of creation utilizing the city’s creative resources.

An invitation

By opening up the creative process to the public, Mansfield Makes will satisfy a deeply human desire to create while simultaneously fostering an appreciation for those things.

The more creatively minded people we can collect, the more potential we have to produce novel and productive ideas.