This is a great makerspace, run by the Brown University engineering department. It is mostly used…read moreby Brown and RISD students, but theoretically open to all. Great selection of tools and scrap materials to help start any type of project. Staffed by an excellent group of monitors who are very knowledgeable and pretty attractive as well.

My son was really stuck with his senior project. It was a 3D printed prosthetic hand that he could…read morenot get printed properly. We contacted Chris who immediately offered to help us out. On top of printing the hand for us on short notice, when he found out it was a school project and then being donated to charity, he offered all his time and equipment for free. The facility was very clean, with a considerable amount of equipment to use for various types of projects.

From the owner: Creatorpult is a Membership-based Makerspace. We provide tools, space and materials for the crafty…read moreand curious to learn and create. Focuses are 3D Printers, Electronics, Robotics and Woodworking.

My higher grade is more for the art center itself rather than the performances. There's always a…read moresmall exhibition at the center of the building and it's nice to see artists can work on their projects late into the night. The facilities look clean and orderly, including the bathrooms and artist studios. I liked seeing all pottery made by the various artists. I also enjoyed the theater itself. While the seating itself isn't all that special, the acoustics are quality. If you expect something significantly higher than community theater here, you may be disappointed. While the performances were fine, they're not really all that polished and feel rather barebones (two actors playing one role in a production was rather strange). If you want a more grander theater experience but without going into Boston, consider Reagle in Waltham. (For all you Yelp police out there, yes, I paid $ here for tickets so I can review)

My first time back to The Umbrella Arts Center since the pandemic happened…read more I saw that they had a dinner and a show option on Thursday nights and the menu looked appealing, so I purchased the meal for $21. Dinner was available for pick up at the concession stand beginning at 6pm, while the show was scheduled for 7:30pm that evening. Traffic delayed me, so I arrived closer to 6:30pm. There was a game going on at the playground the next block over, so there were a lot of cars parked on the street, but parking was still not an issue. Dinner came in a brown paper tote and came nicely packaged and of a good portion size, so I even had some leftover. They had a vegetarian alternative (Nag's Head Roasted Yam, Grilled Zucchini and Squash, Caramelized Onions on Wild Rice (V)), but I opted for the meat - Starter: Hush Puppies with Maple Butter Entree: Pulled Pork Platter with Coleslaw and Collard Greens Dessert: Chocolate Flourless Brownie (GF) Catered by Nosh restaurant and the Concord Market. I was pleased with my meal. Sure the collared greens were a bit plain, but I was just glad to get a decent portion of vegetables with my meat and they were not overcooked. The brownie was individually sealed, and a little messy to eat, but quite good. And I had no trouble finding a seat at a table. In fact I had options. I could have grabbed a small high top for myself, but I decided to sit at an empty spot at the end of one of the 3 long tablecloth covered tables just beyond the concessions and ended up chatting with the pair beside me. I had a great experience at the Umbrella Arts Center! Quotes from the website regarding the show being performed that evening: A heartwarming musical that lifts up the beauty in second chances and the transformative nature of friendship. Percy Talbott is a spirited young woman seeking redemption. But in the small town of Gilead, she finds so much more. Based on the beloved film that took home the Audience Award at The Sundance Film Festival, the musical's rich score is marked by Americana folk rhythms, soaring melodies, and irresistible charm. It reminds us all about the resilience of the human spirit, the magic of new beginnings, and the power of community.

This is a creative scrappy spot that has huge potential. There is a growing community here…read moreoffering a space for woodworking, metal working, 3d printing, sewing, screen printing, electronics, robotics and more. For anyone that doesn't have space to do work, they want to do or doesn't have the tools or is curious to learn, the brickyard offers an oppurtubity for all of that. Book a tour, check it out. I joined right the same week and im quite a fan.

From the owner: We're a fully equipped makerspace on the North Shore of Massachusetts! We're open 24/7 for members…read moreuse, and open for tours by appointment only. Please contact us to set up a visit!

Cool makerspace with laser cutting, woodworking, 3D printing, electronics tools, and more. They…read morehold workshops occasionally and members get access to the shop 24/7 (though I'm not one and can't speak to that level of access).

From the owner: Cambridge Hackspace is a 501(c)3 non profit maker space in the center of Somerville, MA. We hold…read moreweekly meetings where we get together and make things.

I love this place! It is a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon making a custom craft gift (or…read morepersonal use decorative). I am not the most crafty person (far from it), but they were able to help this guy make a beautiful Christmas present (wine carrier in my case) with pre-set or custom designs. They made it fun (full of coffee / tea + cookies), while there is this borderline addictive painting and gluing. Oh and the staff is super helpful and happy to work with you through all your color decisions / gluing troubles. Great for: 1. Friend bonding 2. 7th date 3. lazy day 4. Reunions Bad for: 1. 1st dates 2. Break ups

From the owner: The Makery is a creative space for makers of all kinds. We are a hub for ideas, design, and…read moreinnovation as well as an enriching center for learning, art, culture, and social interaction. We maintain a collaborative, community workspace with the essential tools and expertise for people to develop their skills and bring their ideas to life.

I've been a member at Artisan's Asylum since 2017, and it's been one of the most meaningful…read morecreative communities I've been part of. I started out pretty tentatively, just learning and exploring. Over time, I got more involved and eventually became the laser shop lead for four years. That experience opened the door for me to build a small business creating bamboo candle lanterns and piggy banks--something I never would have been able to do on my own without access to the tools and support there. That's really what makes a makerspace like this so special. You get access to equipment that would be wildly expensive (and impractical) to own yourself, and you're surrounded by people who are both learning and generously sharing what they know. A recent moment really drove that home for me. I needed to test out my tent system for an upcoming show, but the weather outside was terrible. I was able to set everything up in the common space and run a full test. Honestly--such a small thing, but incredibly helpful, and exactly the kind of flexibility that makes this place so valuable. These days, my focus has shifted to painting, and having studio space at the Asylum has been just as important for this next chapter. I have the room I need to work in encaustic, lay out panels, prep surfaces, and wrap finished pieces for transport. The shared spaces make all of that possible in a way that would be hard to replicate anywhere else. It's a welcoming, diverse environment with something for everyone--whether you're just curious or looking to build something serious. If you've ever thought about trying something new, take a class and see where it leads. You might surprise yourself. Time to get creative.

completed the jewelry 101 course. Fantastic instructor who led us through a series of steps…read morelearning the correct techniques on every tool in the Artisan's Asylum jewelry shop. We completed a ring (which my wife liked) over the two day 6 hour course. I have had some previous experience but this was an excellent learning process that taught me many things that improved my skills. Highly recommend taking this learning journey!! Great value for your money.