We are excited to announce a free summer makerspace program developed by IDEAS Academy and The ARTery of The John Michael Kohler Arts Center. MAKER BREAK is a series of summer workshops and sessions that explore a wide range of making practices and activities. Participants can explore everything from circuitry and mic building at IDEAS Academy to knotsmanship and screenprinting in The ARTery.
There are workshops for students 6 – 12 years old as well as sessions for students 12 and older. In addition to specific workshop programming, there are weekly open sessions for making and creating. These programs are open to all interested individuals within the stated age ranges. Please share these opportunities with others! The full schedule is below. Please note that some of these programs do require pre-registration.
Workshop Details
CIRCUIT BENDING WORKSHOP
IDEAS Academy
7/20 and 8/4, 1:00-4:00
ages 12+
Explore the sonic possibilities locked inside the simplest of electronic circuits. Through this workshop, students will learn the art of circuit bending, rewiring used children’s toys and other sound-making devices to create totally new, one-of-a-kind instruments. Basic skills will be covered in every workshop, but students are encouraged to return to build more advanced skills, hone their craft, and help others as well.
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CONTACT MIC BUILDING WORKSHOP
IDEAS Academy
7/7 and 7/27, 1:00-4:00
ages 12+
Through this workshop, students will learn how to build their own contact mics, a simple tool that allows performers to amplify any acoustic (and some non-acoustic) instruments. Afterwards, students will have the opportunity to explore the sonic capabilities of this new tool, experimenting with both traditional and non-traditional instrumentation. For those students returning multiple times, there will be opportunities to invent new instruments to be used in conjunction with these devices.
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PRINTMAKING / PUPPET BUILDING WORKSHOP
The ARTery
7/23, 1:00-4:00
ages 6-12, 12+
Dennis McNett, known for his detailed relief and silkscreen prints, has produced an eclectic body of work including large-scale Viking ships and Nordic giants. Last year, McNett and hundreds of community participants collaborated to create a 24-foot serpent as the main character in the original tale of Lake Michigan titled "The Serpent of Sheboygan."
Register for the opportunity to learn how to make puppets, props, costumes, backdrops, and masks as we create more characters for this tall tale.
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SCREEN PRINTING WORKSHOP
The ARTery
7/21, 1:00-4:00
ages 12+
7/6, 8/3, 1:00-4:00
ages 6-12
In this workshop participants will learn the process of making screen prints and become familiar with all the equipment involved. We will learn about how to best create artwork for screen printing and the correct methods for creating screens, and printing. This workshop will share slight variations in screen creation between each date. Each share unique ways to create personal works.
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KNOTSMANSHIP WORKSHOP
The Artery
7/14 1:00-4:00
ages 6-12, 12+
Working with Arts Industry Artist Christy George. Participants will learn the craft of tying a rope ladders along with other useful knots and rope tying techniques.
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BLOCK CARVING WORKSHOP
The Artery
7/13 1:00-4:00
ages 12+
Learn about carving the large wood blocks for the extreme steamroller printing event at the Midsummer Festival of the Arts. Joseph Velasquez (WI), one of the founders of Drive-By Press, returns to the Arts Center in July for more collaborative printmaking.
To register contact aavery@jmkac.org
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OPEN STUDIO TIME
IDEAS and The ARTery
Tuesdays, 12:00-5:00p.m.
ages 6-12, 12+
Open time for students to swing by either IDEAS Academy or The ARTery at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and use the tools at either space to start, continue, or finish a self-directed project. Students are free to come and go as they please, dropping in once or twice for a few minutes or using the entire time all summer. Students will also be encouraged to crowd source help from other collaborators as they refine ideas and collectively generate new ones.
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PERFORMATIVE MAKING WORKSHOP
IDEAS Academy
Every Wednesday from 5:00-7:00, consistent weekly attendance is expected
ages 6-12, 12+
Applying the ethos of making and makerspaces to the performing arts, students will spend eight weeks collaboratively developing a brand new production to be performed at the Levitt Amp series on August 11th. This process will guide students through all aspects of the production, from writing and composition to staging and performing. Students of all artistic backgrounds and experiences are welcome: whether you are just starting out as a writer, actor, or director, or if you are an experienced dancer, visual artist, musician, or animator, we need your help to make this show come to life!
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SUMMER MAKER CONSORTIUM
IDEAS Academy
Every Thursday from 10:00-12:00, consistent weekly attendance is expected
ages 12+
A service learning opportunity for students hoping to give back to the community. The summer maker consortium will meet every Thursday with the goal of developing student led maker workshops for other students in the Sheboygan area. Students will draw on their own experiences and expertise, as well as the resources at The ARTery and IDEAS Academy, to design and implement at least two maker experiences for younger children in the area.
MAKER BREAK Schedule
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July 5 / Open Workshop
IDEAS Academy & The ARTery 12:00-5:00p.m.
July 6 / Screen Printing
The ARTery 1:00-4:00p.m.
July 6 / Performative Making
IDEAS Academy, 5:00-7:00
July 7 / Contact Mic
IDEAS Academy 1:00-4:00p.m.
July 12 / Open Workshop
IDEAS Academy & The ARTery 12:00-5:00p.m.
July 13 / Block Carving Workshop
The ARTery 1:00-4:00p.m.
July 13 / Performative Making
IDEAS Academy, 5:00-7:00
July 7 / Contact Mic
IDEAS Academy 1:00-4:00p.m.
July 19 / Open Workshop
IDEAS Academy & The ARTery 12:00-5:00p.m.
July 20 / Circuit Bending
IDEAS Academy 1:00-4:00p.m.
July 20 / Performative Making
IDEAS Academy, 5:00-7:00
July 26 / Open Workshop
IDEAS Academy & The ARTery 12:00-5:00p.m.
July 27 / Performative Making
IDEAS Academy, 5:00-7:00
August 2 / Open Workshop
IDEAS Academy & The ARTery 12:00-5:00p.m.
August 3 / Screen Printing
The ARTery 1:00-4:00p.m.
August 3 / Performative Making
IDEAS Academy, 5:00-7:00
August 4 / Circuit Bending
IDEAS Academy 1:00-4:00p.m.
August 9 / Open Workshop
IDEAS Academy & The ARTery 12:00-5:00p.m.
August 10 / Performative Making
IDEAS Academy, 5:00-7:00
August 11 / Maker Break Showcase
Levitt Amp @ JMKAC 5:30-8:30p.m.
