April 2024 Newsletter

Lebanon student and her mother working together to operate a leather cutting tool at a Mobile Makerspace event.

View the Spanish translation of our newsletter here.

Hello and happy spring,

As a former language teacher and self-described word nerd, I delight in discovering new vocabulary to add to the vernacular. Of particular interest are those that communicate the poetry of STEAM. Archaic and grandiose words are also pretty fun. This month, I offer three that fit one or both of these categories:

• Apricity, n, (a-PRIS-i-tee): The warmth of the sun.
• Vernalagnia, n, (vern-uh-LAG-nee-ah): The love and joy brought on by the blossoming of mother nature. 
• Eleemosynary, adj, (e-li-ˈMA-sə-ˌner-ē): Of, relating to, or supported by philanthropy.

So, as the apricity beckons you to shed your winter layers, remember us, your eleemosynary partners at MVSCH, who are committed to ensuring all students may experience our region’s unparalleled vernalagnia. Contribute to our cause here.

Enjoy this month’s issue and we look forward to seeing you all outdoors soon!

Thanks and be well,

Sarah Whiteside,

Director

The Skills and Science of Leather-Making

Did you know that leather can even be made from sharks!?!

The Mobile Makerspace had a fun and busy time this past month, as we learned about the science, history, and art of leather making! We visited Ophelia’s Place, as well as the libraries in Monroe, Scio, Lebanon, and Philomath. Our visits by learning about leather- where it comes from, how it’s made, its many uses, and its ecological impact.

Our makerspace leaders, Kelsie and Svea, spent time teaching the student participants how to use tools essential to the leather-crafting process. These included leather presses, leather cutting dies, mallets, stamping punches, and hole punches, among other instruments. We also combined our new skills and flexed our creativity to craft keychains, bookmarks, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings out of leather!



Leather-making activities would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our community sponsors. Softstar Shoes, Tandy Leather, the Oregon Leather Company, and Artisan Custom Countertops that provided time and resources to help us make this event a reality. The Hub is so lucky to have their businesses and support in our communities!

Interested in joining us for a Mobile Makerspace session? In April we will be roaming around the region and learning about printmaking through the Japanese art style of Gyotaku, which will help us develop a new understanding of natural history through art. Visit our events page to see where we will be, and stop by to visit us!

Join us in The MILL on April 24th, 6 - 8 pm, for the latest bi-monthly installment of Queer Maker Meet-Up.

We will be exploring fiber arts including sewing, felting, crocheting, and beyond.



Bring your own project and craft in community or network and develop some new skills.

This is a free event and is open to our adult/ young adult community members.

Reach out to montgok@linnbenton.edu for directions to The MILL.

Oh good! We see you made it all the way to the end of the newsletter. Your treat is a fun little comic by our in-house cartoonist, Forrest Johnson, exploring the intricacies of a Dremel 3D45 printer explained from the point of view of Forrest's dog, Pepper.