Looking Back Just Three Years Ago

Recently, during a trip down memory lane, I looked back at some old photos from when I started as Executive Director just three years ago. Back then, programs like 24-hour access, monthly badge classes, and standardized teacher pay didn’t exist. Our Ceramics, Blacksmithing, Leatherworking, and CNC shops didn’t exist. We didn’t even have access to the whole building! So much has changed in 3 years, it’s hard to imagine the impact it’s had on Santa Fe and the creatives that utilize Make. 

It made me wonder: what are we doing today that will define Make Santa Fe over the next 3 years?

A recent study on the value of makerspaces provides part of the answer. It found that spaces like ours “tie production back into urban life.” Santa Fe has always been a city of makers. Our legacy is rooted in creativity. But spaces like ours are disappearing. By investing time, energy and money into creative spaces like Make, we’re investing in the very fabric that makes this city thrive. We’re investing in ways for artists, fabricators, and makers to create, locally. With your support,in 3 years Make will continue to support Santa Fe’s culture of creativity. 

Today, Make supports over 1,000 participants in our classes and over 200 members. But, operating Make Santa Fe still costs about $150 per member each month, membership fees cover just part of that cost. The rest comes from donors like you.

This year, we’re asking our community to help us raise $10,000 before year’s end. If you gave just $50 during this campaign (the difference between a monthly membership and what it costs to operate), we’d meet our goal and strengthen Santa Fe’s creative and cultural resilience for years to come.

Your donation supports:

  • Santa Fe’s unique culture of craftsmanship and innovation.
  • Affordable access to industrial tools and training.
  • Education programs for students and emerging creatives.
  • A creative hub that welcomes all who wish to learn, build, and thrive.

Donate today: makesantafe.org/give

Or mail a check to:

Make Santa Fe
2879 All Trades Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507

Today, we’re building the creative future of Santa Fe. 

Thank you for being part of that story.

With gratitude,

James W. Johnson
Executive Director, Make Santa Fe

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The ShopBot was moved from the front room in 2023!
Our sewing room used to be a single industrial stuffed in a back closet (what is now the Doom Room)
This is the other side of the sewing room, just after “cleaning” it up!
Not much has changed in the metalshop, but we’ve upgraded much of the equipment!
The plasma cutter is still running strong!
The front room circa 2020-21. The only thing remaining from this photo is the Boss laser cutter! The long wall in the left of this photo now contains battery powered hand tools, a second laser cutter, a print-making station, a machine shop, and the all-important cleaning supplies.
Much of stuff in the front room was off-limits and owned by Extraordinary Structures. Make purchased their equipment at the end of 2022.
Because of the 2022 equipment purchase we’ve been able to arrange the building to suite both training and member access. In this photo Barry is working on what looks like an SLA 3D printer.
Some things are still the same in the wood shop. But now we have a dedicated lathe room!
Most of the equipment in the woodshop has been upgraded, but some standards remain, like the 5hp SawStop tablesaw.