BRIDGEPORT — MAKE! Chicago has moved to the neighborhood.
The community "maker space" — a place where craftsmen interested in woodworking and metal fabrication can take classes and work on personal projects — will have a grand "re-opening" from 5-10 p.m. Friday at its new location: 1048 W. 37th St.
MAKE! Chicago comes to Bridgeport after spending the last year in Pilsen, according to Joseph Budka, the project's 33-year-old founder.
Friday night's event marks the first Open Shop Night. There will be several workshops, performances and activities throughout the night.
Snacks and beers will be available.
The event is free, and you can RSVP here.
A Boston native, Budka graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago with a degree in sculpture. For the past decade, Budka has been running maker spaces, building custom furniture and restoring antique items for a living. He also teaches aspiring craftsmen.
Maker spaces focus on the use of hand tools and machinery, while "hacker spaces" focus on electronics, robotics and laser-cutting.
So what's the point of a maker space? To Budka, it's simple: It's a place where you can pal around and work with other creative types.
"One maker can turn to another maker and say, 'Hey how can I do this?'" Budka said.
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