Arts and crafts don’t have to end when you leave elementary school.
In fact, makers spaces are having a moment, providing a “third place” for many millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alphas to enjoy. Third places—a unique location outside of work and home—build community and foster relationships, more so than a bar or club.
The term “third place” was coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, detailed in his 1999 book Great Good Place. These places can be anywhere outside of work and home, as long as they are available and community-oriented.
“Life without networks has produced, for many, a lifestyle that basically consists of a round trip from home to work. Social well-being and mental fitness count on the network,” he said in an article in the Project for Public Spaces.
Community is beautiful, and New Yorkers are on a mission to maximize that beauty by way of art. Makers spaces have been popping up (and popping off!) all over the city, both by word of mouth and via social media, inspiring others to pick up a pencil, paintbrush or even a tube of frosting and get together.
Be it making furniture or sculpting with clay, making something with your hands and with a community … [+] of people is at the heart of spaces like Happy Medium.
“Creativity thrives in networking spaces outside of home and work. These physical spaces, such as workshops or craft shops, are key to fostering creativity and attachment,” said Tracie Campbell, CEO and founder of Brooklyn Charm. “It’s inspiring to see the network Brooklyn Charm has built. When other people come together in those spaces, they’re not just creating art—they’re contributing to the cultural fabric of their communities. I inspire everyone to seek out or create those third spaces, to connect with others. and stay creativity alive.
Since then, the charming bar has gone viral, whether in Brooklyn, New York, and in Ventura, California, where Campbell is based. The company was born out of his love for antique jewelry and the buzz of Brooklyn, but he soon discovered that others shared his hobby for craftsmanship and community.
“We’re very pleased with how Brooklyn Charm has temporarily gone viral,” Campbell said. “We’ve believed in our unique technique of customizable jewelry, but the momentum we’ve seen has been incredible. It’s a testament to how much other people love to create anything that’s not public and exclusive. The buzz grew organically and consumers shared their reporting and creations on social media, which actually fueled our growth.
Social media can be both a blessing and a curse, because if you let your creativity stay only on the screen, locating a network in real life can be difficult. That’s why it puts as Happy Medium in New York people’s preference for creating and provides them with a physical location to do so.
“It’s hard to get space; many of us can’t afford to have our own art studios at home, especially in New York City,” said Tayler Carraway, CEO of Happy Medium. “We see Happy Medium as an artistic gym: our visitors come here to learn, use our gadgets, and enjoy something that makes them want to get back to doing things. “
Happy Medium morphs to the needs of the craft you want to make, with tables for communal crafting, … [+] wheels for pottery and more.
The art hot spot hosts many private and public events, including the oh-so popular Art Cafe. Think of this as an art restaurant, where you can come alone or in a group and order craft supplies instead of food—don’t worry, though, there is a bar and snacks for purchase too.
“Arts and culture are the glue that binds the social fabric together; art brings other people from all walks of life together,” Carraway added. “This is an area for everyone, whether they are like-minded or not. Having a position to happen to see, be seen, or simply immerse oneself in creativity can be one of the most healing things a user can do for their intellectual health.
Another barrier to networking through art, but still a lack of space, can be a lack of confidence in your artistic abilities. That’s another explanation for why those third options can be so powerful, according to Liz Chick, founder and executive director of RecCreate Collective in Brooklyn.
Come with friends or come to any event on RecCreate Collective.
“There are so many obstacles to creating, from the ‘I’m not smart at this’ mentality we learned when we were young, to the space limitations of small apartments, to the lack of motivation to avoid getting in and getting started,” Chick said.
Even outside of the studio, Chick emphasized how important third artistic spaces can be: all you need is a little motivation.
“I would remind [people] that everyone is creative, and encourage them to follow what feels fun and explorative,” Chick said. “It doesn’t have to look one way, and the beauty is in the making, not in the final product. So whatever it is they have been meaning to try, just invite a few friends over, turn on some good music and give it a go.”
For those still on the fence when it comes to crafting with complete strangers, you can get your paint brushes wet during a curated event with friends and family instead. Klein Designs in Brooklyn, New York does just that, turning its embroidery studio into a setting for birthday parties, Galentine’s gatherings and more.
“During a birthday party we hosted recently, each guest went around the room sharing their pieces and designs they chose, speaking to what they selected and what it meant to them,” said Alexa Klein, founder and CEO of Klein Designs. “Seeing the joy each person had in their personalized design and how excited they were to take home a memory from the party was so touching.”
A typical assembly at the Klein Designs studio in Brooklyn, with friends who have embroidery artists. . . . [ ]
Regardless of how you cut—and paste—it, creating art in a group makes more than just a final product but “sews” the seeds for community.
“Building a community through a shared interest is such a fun way to build a connection. When a group of people share interests I find that community builds very naturally over time, as it has with ours,” added Klein.
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