GREENFIELD — While The Hive on Main Street isn’t expected to launch as a makerspace until spring of 2021, it will host a variety of “pop-up” community events between now and then.
Adrienne LaPierre, who will be executive director of The Hive when it opens, said the project is a “huge undertaking” that will require significant investments of time, money and upgrades to the existing space that previously housed World Eye Bookshop, so it won’t be in full operation for more than a year.
“Even though it’s a significant undertaking and it’s going to require a ton of work, I’m absolutely thrilled to be involved in the project,” LaPierre said. “It think it is critical for the revitalization of Greenfield. This is a very important project.”
LaPierre said one of the aims is to democratize the means of production by allowing the community to make the things it needs within the community.
“We’re also working with Valley Alliance of Worker Co-Operatives, particularly with Adam Trott, who is providing technical assistance,” LaPierre said. “We’d like to incorporate as a cooperative so that the benefits are shared with members, workers and people making this project happen.”
The Hive’s mission is to become a community makerspace dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurship and the creative economy, LaPierre said.
Linda McInerney, the creative director of Eggtooth Productions, is working with LaPierre and others to create the new space. She said it will serve all types of artists, artisans, craftspeople, performers and “creators.” The membership-based makerspace will offer the use of all types of tools, including industrial sewing machines, a leather-stitching machine, a community loom, 3-D printers, laser cutters and computer numerical control machines.
Robert “Robbie” Cohn sold the building to Timothy Grader of Holyoke Property Management, who is on board with the idea and recently said he is delighted to support the project.
Rachael Katz, owner of The Greenfield Gallery, is the project’s technical consultant. LaPierre brings her experience as an educational technology consultant. She has spent five years working in the Brattleboro, Vt. public school system to develop innovative ways to integrate makerspace activities and engineering design into elementary and middle school curriculum.
The group has applied for a planning grant and other grants for startup costs and is fundraising to cover costs of first-year development — The Hive needs $15,000 for startup and has already raised $7,000. All donations are received and processed by The Hive’s nonprofit fiscal sponsor, Progress Partnership Inc.
Sacred Holistic Arts VDay Expo: Feb. 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A day of art, music and healing, featuring acoustic performers from around the Pioneer Valley.
Artists Peer Critique Group: Feb. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring a work of art for constructive critique from the group.
The Hive Book Circle: “What I Found in a Thousand Towns.” Feb. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. Join the group for a conversation about its collective vision for Greenfield and a discussion about the book by Dar Williams.
The Hive Presents Wallace Field and Elliott Lee Friesen: Feb. 14, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sliding scale fee of $10 to $25. Doors open at 7.
The Hive Presents Kimaya Diggs and Michi Wiancko: March 19, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sliding scale fee of $10 to $25. Doors open at 7.
For more information or to donate, visit: hivemakerspace.org.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-0261, ext. 269 or afritz@recorder.com.