Creating is good for everything from stress relief to reducing your carbon footprint, and you may be amazed at the variety of opportunities out there in the maker movement to play, tinker, mess around, and build. Who knows, you may find a whole new career. Here are some great maker spaces in the Hudson Valley to get hands-on.
FiberFlame Studios | Saugerties, NY
FiberFlame Studios in West Saugerties is a mixed media craft studio where you can just drop in and have access to a vast array of materials, from pre-cut blanks to paint, stamps, mosaic tiles, fabric, ribbons, shells, and stones. Just looking at their supply wall is inspiring. You get up to two hours of studio time for $10, and there are modest materials fees; you’ll find expert guidance in a cheery, laidback setting.
River House Project | Hudson, NY
The recently launched River House Project is a state-of-the-art work studio facility housed in a repurposed elementary school in Hudson that offers office, studio, and creative spaces. Film and media makers will find a state-qualified post-production facility at the ready. Founded by the folks behind Basilica Hudson, River House will also feature art exhibitions.Squidwrench | Highland, NY
Squidwrench, a hackerspace set up to provide knowledge, tools, and space for programmers, electronics folks, graphic artists and the like, offers soldering instruction along with coding, and possibly soon blacksmithing lessons. They operate out of Studio 81 in Highland, and you’re invited to come check out their open Weekly Doing sessions with your craziest inspirations in tow.
Sophi's Interactive Billboard, created at Squidwrench.
Garner Arts Center | Garnerville, NY
Garner Arts Center offers studios of various sizes to all sorts of creatives within the GARNER Historic District in West Haverstraw, a unique 14-acre repurposed factory complex where you’ll find a family-owned hardware store, yoga studio, craft brewery, restaurant, CrossFit & personal training gyms, a Creekside sculpture trail and an indescribable variety of fellow makers. 
Venturator | Kingston, NY
The Venturator in Kingston is a co-work/makerspace/incubator facility operated by the Global Center for Social Entrepreneurship Network. They offer resident desks and conference space along with marketing, finance, and legal coaching for your startup, and an affiliation with Fala Technologies that makes all kinds of electromechanical wonders possible.
Highly Authorized | Ellenville, NY
Highly Authorized is a creative compound just outside Ellenville, offering residencies for sliding scale fees (work exchanges very possible) at a facility with metal shop, wood shop, open work areas and art center, plus a room of one’s own in a restored 1911 farmhouse. You bring personal tools, materials and concept; they provide workspace, heavy equipment, and a nice balance of camaraderie and alone time—as desired.Atlas Industries | Newburgh, NY
Atlas Studios in Newburgh is a multi-disciplinary studio building, founded by the entrepreneurs behind Atlas Industries, a design and manufacturing firm that produces handmade modular furniture systems. The large brick warehouse offers studio spaces for a wide range of creatives, from potters and photographers to interactive kinetic sculptors and clothiers. With lofty ceilings, large windows, and sunlit spaces, Atlas Studios has a waiting list. Tenant makers have access to regular market events and the delights of Newburgh’s Liberty Street district.
Steve Gerberich, Art Mechanic The motto at the top of Steve Gerberich’s very followable Instagram page (#gerbography) reads: “If at first you don’t succeed, try epoxy.” Gerberich is an artist/tinker who works with overlooked common objects and hot glue to create kinetic sculpture that tickles the imagination. He describes his work as “a mixture of 1 cup Duchamp, 3 teaspoons Calder, 2 tablespoons Kienholz, ½ cup Cornell, 1 pound Rauschenberg, and a sprinkle of Tinguely.”
Workshop Workshop | Middletown, NY
Workshop Workshop in Middletown offers a ceramics-based pottery studio and multipurpose makerspace where you’ll find workshops taught by experts in a variety of skill sets, such as natural skincare products and essential oils, candle dipping, block printing, and pottery painting. Pottery classes will begin this summer. Women's Studio Workshop | Rosendale, NY
Women's Studio Workshop in Rosendale rents studio space set up for etching, papermaking, letterpress, silkscreen, book arts, ceramics, and darkroom work. There are also residencies and internships, including one in nonprofit management. Ongoing ceramics classes are offered, and their Summer Art Institute offers multi-day workshops in printmaking, bookbinding and papermaking.
Studio Workspace Resident Sarah McDermott setting up a silkscreen project at the omen's Studio Workshop.
