[dorkbotbmore-blabber] "The Fuse Factory" as a possible model for a teaching/making dorkbot-like group (Columbus, OH)

[Adam D Bachman]

Hello fellow dorkbotters,


There was a suggestion at the meeting last night (2008-10-21) that we
explore ways we could go beyond just meeting, perhaps showing Creative
Alliance some love by bringing in some workshop revenue (if I understood
correctly).

The attached email is from a group that recently started up in Columbus,
OH.  I found out about it when I visited the C-bus dorkbot meeting with a
friend back in February.  The group (The Fuse Factory) is less than a year
old and when they started up they had no space, just a committed organizer
and a workshop schedule.  The email is self explanatory, I thought I'd
forward it along to give an example of how another burgeoning
tech/craft/maker/art community is trying to get people involved and
interested while trying to make their workshops self-sustaining through
marketing and a small chunk of revenue.  More info at
http://thefusefactory.org

Any thoughts?


- Adam



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The Fuse Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab <
info at thefusefactory.org>
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Subject: Make an LED wristband: There's still a few spaces left!
To: adam.bachman at gmail.com


You're receiving this email because of your relationship with The Fuse
Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab. Please
confirm<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/c.jsp?t=1102290597229.214.9945105.2&m=1101980002529&wl=F>your
continued interest in receiving email from us.

You may unsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001QOqrPM3hRDPNCepaE2wKV_1ioYy9slzvso7BTyY6MAbNJ4K3YTII7g%3D%3D&p=un>if
you no longer wish to receive our emails.
     *Make an LED Wristband workshop: Just a few spaces left!
*
*Workshop date and time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 1:00 - 5:00pm*
*Workshop location: Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Ave., 43212*
   *in this issue*   Intro to Soft Circuits: Make an LED
Wristband<#11d24a7bdd45000f_LETTER.BLOCK5>  Upcoming:
Our 2nd ever Arduino Connect-a-Thon <#11d24a7bdd45000f_LETTER.BLOCK6>  Get
involved with the Fuse Factory! <#11d24a7bdd45000f_LETTER.BLOCK7>    Greetings
and Salutations!

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to make your
costume stand out from the crowd than to make it light up? Learn how to do
this at our upcoming Intro to Soft Circuits: Make an LED Wristband
workshop- there's still a few spots left! Not only will you learn how
to sew lights
onto clothing, you will also receive scads of information and resources so
you can take your newly acquired knowledge and run with it.

Also in this issue is information about our 2nd ever Arduino Connect-a-Thon.
This event will introduce you to the building blocks of open-source
electronics and physical computing. Come learn why the
Arduino<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CvaBWitZdQRkeNouPgYc6r50MowToub2flJUzQ21x-MHRnAS_FoWEZ86mX0MyewueXAUPpzDSSjs2XUQXnTGPMsfcWcL9avslcgi-LQzm6Y=>has
become increasingly popular with creative types of all stripes and
persuasions interested in creating interactive objects and environments!

Last but certainly not least, a big, hearty thank you to the Greater
Columbus Arts Council<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CvaBWitZdQRrSzH7IxVsosPzwR-2DbmEO6eGvso_m0EfJhfzgUiz9xoDQdIRxeVmCL15gWLqqqfrLP4DK9fcr0rTjZsYZ6cd6ft95wsQlHo=>,
organizers of the OppArt
Series<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CvaBWitZdQSkF3Dm2Yon_1kcHPVpgS07ABvj5Z5FIv9yQ-PVQbPKc0Ayf3q29COi26H_Uf8np0aYAxzQRt8H66Mjxrpq2po5J0uFH6Av5uXUvdp9BZpd7G8nTCUQmpu6422PzGtJSeJw7RSJN6Non3h644X_ND83>and
sponsors of all of our Fall 2008 workshops.

Hope to see you soon!

All good,
Alison Colman, Founder and Executive Director
The Fuse Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab
     -----------------------------------

Workshop: Intro to Soft Circuits: Make an LED Wristband!


<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CvaBWitZdQT_4CyaIpvJe__jZPsS6t_okTlZLsPsr3dAjoaw1epkSH3ai9CZ8OPghyEeB8D09fjdZZ0OELQsKs4f_iMMKAGrPB0rpFosW0_HWPvH877ES26ulk24Uknc4xJlDz2Ef54=>
 Instructor: Alison Colman
 Date: Saturday, October 25
 Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
 Location: Junctionview Studios
 Workshop cost: $25 ($20 for students)
 Enrollment limit: 10

Workshop description: Just in time for Halloween! In this hands-on workshop,
participants will learn how to make a simple cloth-and-felt wristband with
LEDs that light up when the two ends of the wristband are attached via
conductive velcro. The instructor will introduce participants to LED
technology, basic electronics, and soft circuits. This is a class for
beginners - no previous experience with electronics or sewing is necessary!
This workshop is suitable for youth as well as adults.

Register for the workshop
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CvaBWitZdQT_4CyaIpvJe__jZPsS6t_okTlZLsPsr3dAjoaw1epkSH3ai9CZ8OPghyEeB8D09fjdZZ0OELQsKs4f_iMMKAGrPB0rpFosW0_HWPvH877ES26ulk24Uknc4xJlDz2Ef54=>
   -----------------------------------

*Workshop: Arduino Connect-a-Thon!*

<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CvaBWitZdQT6jXDb-b3DgsENwQe51aIFutFHdI6ndQuXHw8plFU6iRVKqg0g7EQI3lPq7NqKzSNkRGs-wd4uAoXs3GBYUZgmtVAMw2lyw2k4XgMsyqHuVTrCSy2ufhjpHOqihDFwRfI=>
Instructor: Matt Howard
  Date: Saturday, November 1
  Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  Location: Junctionview Studios
  Workshop cost: $15 ($55 if you want your Arduino)
  Enrollment limit: 12

Workshop description: Arduino is a microcontroller platform broadly used in
the fields of art and design. It is used in creating all kinds of
interactive artifacts, art installations, and prototypes. It is also an
open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use
hardware and software. It is intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and
anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

Arduino "senses" the environment via input from a variety of sensors and can
affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators.
The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming
language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment (based on
Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate
with software on running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).

This basic workshop will introduce participants to the basics of the
Arduino. No programming or electronics experience is necessary. Participants
will need to bring a laptop. This workshop is suitable for youth and adults.

Register for the
workshop<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CvaBWitZdQRplA1MsWy3ykvqyA_lqtW8HpcMCa1Tcd35IyZ5W78OFvyLCiM31Hvegz6QN4H5APdZvZpE_34deSb1QN1yg3OsL4qDiQmarLSCpNYXL_FMpbO5y224QZ1fb1iNFn37H85CGpYNtmMPXw==>
    -----------------------------------
*
Want to get involved? Fuse Factory <3's our volunteers!*

We are an all-volunteer organization, and we thrive on our passion for art
and technology. We're also a group of all-around nice folks! We're always
looking for volunteers, and while we are welcoming to everybody, here is
what we need most:

- We are looking to grow our Board of Directors. If you have experience
with
  nonprofit organizations, and/or have experience in marketing and/or
finance and
  bookkeeping and you are looking to help build a new organization, you've
come
  to the right place!
- We're always looking for workshop instructors. Do you know cool stuff? Do

  you want to share your knowledge with the world, and you miss the
face-to-face
  contact Instructables.com just can't provide? Be a workshop instructor for
the
  Fuse Factory! Oh - if you like working with kids, even better. We're
hoping to
  expand our education program in 2009 to include workshops for children.

- We are looking for people into event planning. We currently organize an
annual
  juried exhibition and an annual performance event. Since we're consummate
  overachievers, we want to do even more, but we need your help!
If any of this appeals to you, please contact Fuse Factory ED Alison Colman
at alison at thefusefactory.org, or Fuse Factory Board President Dr. Jeff
Spitzner at jeff.spitzner at rescentris.com.
       *Contact Information*

email: info at thefusefactory.org
twitter: @fusefactory.org
phone: 614-483-3873
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