Category: Member Made

Generator members come from a variety of backgrounds with different skill sets. Here are some of the projects that members have been working on with the tool suite available at Generator.

  • Member Made: Dwyer Haney’s Wood Stoves

    Member Made: Dwyer Haney’s Wood Stoves

    [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1611952652145{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”]We were pretty thrilled when WCAX picked up Dwyer Haney’s amazing story.

    Dwyer is one of Generator’s most active metal shop users. He’s the owner and fabricator behind Cole Forge Stoves, making multi-function wood stoves that replace the three appliances in the modern home that use the most fossil fuels: space heaters, stoves for cooking, and domestic hot water heaters.[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”10909″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1611952767334{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”]While Dwyer has loved his time working out of Generator, it wasn’t the original plan — our metal shop was a life boat after a natural disaster took out his shop.

    Watch WCAX’s video for the full story:

    [/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”10910″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_blank” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%” img_link=”https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Stove-builder-surviving-the-storm-566417261.html”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Member Made: Clay’s Drift Wood LED Archway

    Member Made: Clay’s Drift Wood LED Archway

    [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1611946347791{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”]It’s always fun when you roll up to Generator and a member is in the “backyard” working on something big.

    Today it was studio member Clay Mohrman (of Clay Mohr Lighting) working on his biggest piece yet.

    The driftwood, steel, and LED light arch is Clay’s biggest commission yet.

    The sculpture will be trucked to its new home at Spruce Peak Lodge in Stowe once it’s completed.[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”10873″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][image_with_animation image_url=”10875″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][image_with_animation image_url=”10874″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Member Made: Jude’s “Knob Library”

    Member Made: Jude’s “Knob Library”

    [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1611946809732{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”]When a group of intrepid wood shop members set out to build new cabinetry for Generator’s wood shop, member Jude Dircks volunteered to make the knobs.

    Jude had recently taken one of our Wood Lathe Trainings and he was looking for a project that would help him practice using it.

    Behold: Jude’s knobs! Next time you’re in the wood shop, be sure to admire each unique knob.

    Next time you see Jude, be sure to ask him for wood lathe tips — as you can see, he’s now an expert.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”10879″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Member Made: Milton Rosa-Ortiz’s Goddess of the Storm

    Member Made: Milton Rosa-Ortiz’s Goddess of the Storm

    Milton is a former architect and current nurse and artist working on a sculptural commission, loosely based on the Puerto Rican Goddess of the Storm.

    The female figure carries a red lantern, much like the figures stationed on ship heads that are meant to safely guide sailors.

    Milton used the CNC Wood Router to drill holes in plexiglass — which he would have otherwise done by hand.

    The beads are hung from the plexi glass and are are suspended at different heights, swaying gently with the breeze. He’s using onyx and charcoal beads, as well as red for the lantern.

    Although Milton has been creating art and exhibiting his work for years, this is his first piece made at Generator. He was lacking the space at home to create this sculpture. After a tour, he was excited to learn that he could secure an affordable, safe place to build his sculpture while accessing the the wood, metal, and jewelry shops.

    Learn more about Milton’s work here, and learn about becoming a studio member of Generator here.

  • Artist in Residence: Ryan Miller

    Artist in Residence: Ryan Miller

    Ryan Miller, frontman for the band Guster, shreds on guitar but has limited experience working with industrial power equipment.

    While in residence at Generator, Ryan wasted no time acquiring the technical skills necessary to catapult his other obsession, embroidery, into a whole new universe.

    With the wood and metal shops at his disposal, Ryan invented a style of home decor that integrates semi-precious metals and embroidery into salvaged mid-century furniture.

  • Maker in Residence: Colin Gaunt

    Maker in Residence: Colin Gaunt

    Meet our current Maker in Residence: Colin Gaunt.

    Colin Gaunt Sipping Safe Maker in Residence

    Colin is a recent Saint Michael’s College grad developing an affordable, portable device using ultra-efficient LED technology to disinfect water on an individual or family-sized scale.

    From Saint Michael’s:

    “Gaunt said the market niche he is trying to fill with the Sipping Safe is ‘a family unit essentially,’ explaining, ‘there already are products that can give water to 1,000 people really well or to one person fairly well, but there isn’t a product that can give water to a family of 6 to 12 without a plumbing network of some kind.’ His device would not need to be pressurized like many existing devices, which is another big advantage. ‘I’m thinking of any developing nation or city that doesn’t have access to a steady plumbing system,’ he said.”

    Colin Gaunt Maker in Residence Sipping Safe

    Colin is also a Jump Start Collegiate cohort member, so he’s been spending a lot of time here making his first prototype using the Prusa 3D printer and Epilog laser cutter. Next step? Make the thing! 

    Follow along on Instagram to see Colin’s progress.

  • Member Made: Corrine’s stamps & community mural

    Member Made: Corrine’s stamps & community mural

    Local artist and organizer Corrine Yonce recently utilized Generator’s Epilog laser cutter to create rubber stamps from hand drawings. These stamps were for use in a community mural in the Old North End’s new community center.

    The stamps made it easy for folks to contribute to the mural regardless of whether they felt they had “artistic talent.”

    Corrine Yonce Old North End Community MuralWords from Corrine:

    “This project has been lead by high school students of the BTV City and Lake Semester – their mission was to represent this thriving new community that is the Old North End (ONE) Community Center, which is the former St. Joseph school.”

    Old North End Community Mural

    Old North End Community MuralThe mural was to represent its vibrant history and exciting future. They asked to show the true diversity of ages, cultures, and ways people use the space. The students loved the activities that bridged communities- food, play, sports. They wanted people to see themselves in the mural, no matter who they are.”
    Old North End Community Mural
    The ONE Community Center is a critical resource in the Old North End. The center is home to Vermont Adult Learning, the The Family Room, the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, Spectrum’s after school program, Very Merry Theater, the Vermont Hindu temple, the Burlington City Lake Program, among others.”
    Old North End Community Mural
    The students at Burlington City and Lake Semester worked hard to guide my hand in this piece, to bring community together, and ensure this mural would have a enduring & inclusive message for all communities that use the space now, and will use the space in the future.”

    Old North End Community MuralA big thanks to Megan Humphrey whose 1,200 photos of the Old North End (still exhibited at the ONE Community Center!) inspired us so much that we use some in the mural. Also a big thanks to Burlington Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront who bought the supplies and dealt with our mess, to Champlain House Trust who hosts space to these critical community organizations, and to all the wonderful organizations who showed up to this event to have a hand in the final piece. Vermont Adult Learning, The Family Room, Robin’s Nest Childcare, AALV and the Champlain Senior Center.”

    Corrine Yonce Old North End Community Mural

    Corrine Yonce Old North End Community Mural

    Corrine Yonce Old North End Community MuralPhotos by Montgomery Sheridan.

  • Member Made: Marc’s Stand Up Paddleboard

    Member Made: Marc’s Stand Up Paddleboard

    Member Marc Heinzer is BYOSUPing— building your own stand up paddleboard.


    Marc hails from Switzerland where he built boats and movie sets. He had this to say of his building experience:


    “Boat builder is one of the few jobs where you build something from start to finish. With house builders, there are people that frame, and then people that put plumbing in… not so with boats.”


    Instead of the standard foam most paddleboards use, environmentalist Marc chose wood due to its ease of availability and sustainability. He used the Epilog laser cutter to cut the frame and glued up and assembled the frame in our big build space. He’s now starting to think about next steps — including adding a window in the board that allows riders to see what lies beneath.

    Marc wanted to create something that inspired people to engage in local recreation and he’s thinking about how to make the board available to the public. He’s considering inviting local kids to help him decorate the board before finishing to make it a true community effort and asset.

    Stay tuned for progress! We’re excited to see the board in action on the waves of Lake Champlain this summer.

  • Member Made: Marni’s giant laser cut ovaries

    Member Made: Marni’s giant laser cut ovaries

    Laser cut ovaries at Vermont Women's MarchMarni Leikin is a Generator member and professor of digital media.

    Marni schooling herself in all of our rapid prototyping tools, including the 3D printer, 4 Axis Modeling Mill, vinyl cutter, and of course the Epilog laser cutter — all to prepare for the rapid prototyping unit of her upcoming Digital Media Methodologies for Educators course at Champlain College, which will train and empower educators to bring cutting edge digital technology into the classroom.

    This is one of the many awesome pieces she’s made during her practice and preparation: laser cut ovaries for the #vermontwomensmarch last month.

    She says they were a major attention-grabber, and now they’re hanging down in Nutty Steph’s to help promote their chocolate vulva sales benefiting Planned Parenthood of New England.

    Amazing.

  • Lights, lights, lights: The Illumination Collective

    Lights, lights, lights: The Illumination Collective

    The Illumination Collective is comprised of community artists with a shared playful curiosity for light and shadow —  many of whom happen to be Generator members.

    Through creative tinkering, the Illumination Collective crafted a magical Illuminated Forest at the Champlain Mini Maker Faire this past autumn. Here’s member Kristian Brevik’s installation at the event:

     

    Following the success of that one-night-only installation, the team gathered again to bring new glowing surprises to Echo Aquarium with the Illuminated Waterfront as part of the inaugural night of Highlight, Burlington’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

    Some of the Generator members displaying work included:

     

    Jody Brown

    Jody Brown is primarily interested in environmental design and sculpture. She makes small-scale steel sculpture and works on ideas for larger scale work in a variety of materials. As part of the Illuminated Collective team, she’s using reflective materials combined with dynamic lighting to create sculptural installations. She co-owned and operated The Drawing Board in Montpelier, VT, for thirty-five years. She is accomplished in business management, picture framing design and production, art preservation and art materials services. Currently, she serves on the board of Studio Place Arts in Barre and is affiliated with Generator in Burlington.

     

    Ken Howell + Terrence Sehr

    Ken Howell is an artist and professor of media arts at Champlain College where he also serves as a faculty advisor with the Emergent Media Center, and leads the EMC Sandbox Team exploring new and novel human-computer interaction models .  He holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts, and a BFA from the Maryland Institute, College of Art. He is a founding board member of Generator, a Burlington makerspace and a founder and organizer of the Champlain Maker Faire. When Ken is not describing himself in the third person, he is an I that enjoys a creative life of making, tinkering, drawing, painting, and practicing bonsai. His work, even the bonsai stuff, deals with dichotomy, emergent properties, the quieting of the monkey mind, and dislocations in time and space,  symptomatic of digitality.

    Terrence Sehr is a digital artist interested in political and social media-sourced digital art using algorithmic appropriation and remix. Other interests include interactive art, mixed media sculpture, and the maker movement. Terrence is adjunct faculty in the Champlain College Masters in Emergent Media program, as well as the Community College of Vermont Computer Information Systems program. Terrence holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Emergent Media from Champlain College, a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Vermont, and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from The Cooper Union, NYC.

     

    Alex Constantino

    Alex Costantino is an art educator and artist working across various media, including ceramics, painting, and and digital sculptural practices. He holds a BFA in printmaking from Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from the University of South Florida in Studio Art. In addition to creating art, he teaches art at Enosburg Elementary School, Champlain College, and Burlington City Arts.

     

     

    Clay Mohrman

    Clay Mohrman uses lighting to connect spaces with the surrounding environment through the combination of LED lighting technology and found materials. Using form, function and materials, his sculptures exist at the intersection of nature, design, and the built environment. The work creates a functional and satisfying union between sculpture, light, and its surrounding environment.

     

    Jake Blend + Alex Toulan

    Jake Blend has earned a reputation as a creative, fun, and determined maker/fixer.  As the rapid prototype shop lead and manager of the Mixed Reality Lab at Generator, his daily bread is transcribing dreams to tangible joy.  Among his many projects are mini arcades, way-finding footprints for a traveling Smithsonian Exhibit, creating the World’s Largest Spirograph, and he is currently working on a secure low latency VR telepresence as part of a National Science Foundation project in collaboration with BTV Ignite.  You can find out more at jakeblend.com

    Alex Toulan is a software engineer, game programmer and product developer. He likes to dabble in electrical and mechanical engineering as well. In his spare time, Alex enjoys creating illuminated interactive installations. The LED Tetris Wall at Highlights exemplifies a number of his passions.

     

     

    Thank you to Illumination Collective and Generator Member Jane Adams for the write-up and photos!