TekVenture

As we approach our 20th anniversary as Fort Wayne's premier non-profit makerspace, we have realized that we need to upgrade and replace some of our more "experienced" equipment. Although our master welders and metal sculptors still turn out amazing art with our older machines, the welding machines have proven to be challenging for students and inexperienced makers. We are looking to purchase and equip two new multi-process, educational grade welding machines. The units have controllers that…

Due to high demand for welding at TekVenture, our welding area has been expanded! Now with more room for projects and work!

For updates on activities, go to ARTISTIC ATTIC!

These young…

Electroworx receives new equipment for membership use. We’re happy to continue to expand the capability for our members!

• Rigol digital oscilloscope

• Hot air/solder/power supply station

• Digital microscope

Artist and teacher Mary Klopfet recently led an exciting 8-week sculpting class at TekVenture’s Clayworx studio, where students of all experience levels got hands-on with clay and creativity.

In this cozy, small-group setting, participants enjoyed plenty of one-on-one time with Mary as they sculpted ceramic heads in their own likeness. The journey began with exploring the structure of the skull and understanding how it shapes the face. From there, students learned measuring techniques and the…

Want to stay up to date on all things Tek? Join us on Discord! There are channels for all of our work areas so you can get notifications for the areas that interest you!

For those not familiar, Raku firing is a dramatic and fast-paced pottery technique that originated in Japan in the 16th century. Unlike traditional kiln firing, which takes several hours to heat and cool, Raku involves removing ceramics from a hot kiln while they're still piping hot. Members utilized saggar, horsehair, obvara and reduction firing techniques to create amazing pieces! Raku is especially popular among potters who enjoy the immediacy and unpredictability of the process.

It's less…

A while back Clayworx Area Manager Al Mack purchased a clay 3D printer but he was unable to get it working. With the help of multiple other TekVenture members, the 3D Clay printer has been debugged, reworked and is cranking out clay objects!

While it has proved to be a fickle beast, Al couldn’t be more thrilled!

TekVenture staple Tom Watson recently purchased an AnyCubic 3D printer. TekVenture Secretary Jason Presser printed 3D articulated T-Rex’s for two members, aged 7 and 9. They took their T-Rexes hot off the press, grabbed two discarded boxes from Clayworx, headed over to the Artistic Attic. There they founds all sorts of materials to create two T-Rex habitats. This open play and creativity is what we like to see at TekVenture.

TekVenture member Hope Wallace participated in LORE at Wassenberg Art Center. In a Facebook post, Hope Wallace said, “Honored, and a little giddy to have been awarded Best of Show. Thank you Wass, sponsors, and juror Ruth Koomler Art and TekVenture for getting these puppies fired!”