MARAM: January Day of Making

MAKING BRINGS JOY:  Saturday, January 26^th

8:30: Registration Opens

At-door registration opens for remaining spots.  Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be available throughout the day.

(Note:  Register for 3 or more workshops and get a credit towards a free workshop in February or March!)

9:00 – 10:30:  Writing Science Fiction that Sells

Science fiction offers a thriving audience for short stories, but it can be hard for beginners to break into professional markets, and even established writers can have trouble making consistent sales. We’ll discuss strategies for writing stories that are compelling from the very first page, based on the principles of effective characterization, plot structure, and worldbuilding, with examples drawn from a wide range of authors and publications. 

Alec Nevala-Leeis a novelist and freelance writer who has sold over a dozen stories to the magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact. His group biography Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction (HarperCollins) was recently named one of the best books of 2018 by the Economist. Three of his suspense novels have been published by Penguin, and he contributes occasionally to the New York Times Book Review.

Cost:  $50.  Registration max:  15

***

11:00 – 12:30:  Handmade Pasta for a Wintry Day

In this hands-on class, we’ll hone knife skills to make a French Vegetable Ragout.  While that simmers, we’ll make pasta dough and roll out fettuccine noodles on old-fashioned pasta machines. We’ll end class with a tasting, and each participant will go home with ragout and fresh pasta to share.

Cheryl Muñozis the Founder of Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, a community cooking school in River Forest, and Sugar Beet Food Co-op, a cooperatively owned grocery store in Oak Park. Ms. Munoz practices and teaches “observational cooking” which invites students to explore their senses as they cook together.

Cost:  $50.  Registration max:  12

***

1:00 – 2:30:  Beginner Computer Programming for Google Home

Create an app for Google Home; no programming experience needed!  We will create a simple trivia game app for Google Home from start to finish, without writing a line of code. A google account is required, and a laptop for class use.  (If you don’t have access to a laptop, let us know – we have some available for loan-out during class.)

Kamal Jacksonis an Information Technology Leader with 20 experience building IT systems for small and large companies. Kamal currently owns and operates www.kjcubed.com, a boutique IT consulting firm that build custom system for businesses.

Cost:  $50.  Registration max:  30

***

3:00 – 4:30:  Upcycle Jewelry

Create a playful pendant, barrette, or brooches with vintage buttons, colorful linoleum, laminate countertop, rubber washers and more! We will come up with several possible compositions with the varied materials, then problem-solve how to connect them using riveting, stitching, and gluing.

Alix Mikesellhas taught Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design at Indiana University, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, and is currently teaching at College of DuPage. Alix creates jewelry for her company Alix Mikesell Design. She specializes in the clever reuse of alternative materials such as laminate countertop, buttons, beach pebbles and swizzle sticks. (www.alixmikesell.com)

Cost:  $50.  Registration max:  10.

***

5:00 – 6:30:  A Stitch In Time Saves

Bring in your well-worn denim, your tired and holey sweaters, your rags and your ripped-up tees. (We will provide some if you don't have any!)  Stitch Witch, Pam Penney, will show you creative ways to re-use and re-store your textiles and wearables into one-of-a-kind functional art.  Techniques include creating fabric patches and decorative embroidery stitching. 

Textile Artist Pamela Penneyhas been inspiring and educating adults and children to utilize traditional needle arts techniques as a means of creative expression for over 30 years.  She has a three-fold mission of salvaging materials through creative re-use, crafti-feminism, and the healing of individuals and our planet with art as medicine.

Cost:  $50.  Registration max:  15

***

6:30 – 7:00:  Dinner Break

Workshop attendees are welcome to bring a brown bag dinner, or purchase soup & sandwiches from us ($10). (We can accommodate dietary restrictions – just let us know!)

***

7:00 – 8:30:  Creating Healthy Conversations: The Social Art of Circling

What if we could be more authentic, curious and kinder to each other? Because we are increasingly isolated and overwhelmed, and civil discourse has degraded such that it's tearing apart our social fabric, it's imperative to connect. Learn essentials for creating healthier dialogue and create healthier community.

Susan Luccibecame a social artisan of Circle technologies a decade ago and is on a mission to facilitate soulful conversations and create community using this ancient archetype. Over the past 10 years, she has convened more than 600 Circles. www.2big4words.org

Cost:  $50.  Registration max:  15

*****

ACCESS NOTE:  We regret that as this our workshops are currently taking place in a private historic home, they are not wheelchair accessible.  There is also a small and gentle dog on the premises.  If either of these conditions would prevent you from participating, or if you have any other access needs, please contact our director, Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mamohanraj.com), to see whether there is any way we can accommodate you.  We may be able to move specific workshops to another site, for example.

Our next workshops will take place Feburary 23^rd& 24^th, and will include 3D printing!  A portion of proceeds will go towards securing a permanent accessible physical space for future workshops and classes.  Donations are also gratefully accepted; Maram Makerspace is sponsored by the Speculative Literature Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  To learn more, visit [website].