BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Foundry in Buffalo is offering a woodworking class for women starting later this month.
There are 10 spots available, and they are specifically encouraging women and women of color to apply.
In the class, you will design and build your own wooden table.
Megan McNally is one of the founders of The Foundry, a community-based maker space on Buffalo's East Side that supports creativity and entrepreneurs.
"I think the first experience that I ever had was a full room of men offering classes, right? And so, you know, really, I think it's really important for people to learn alongside people that they feel comfortable with, and that they're represented adequately," McNally said.
As a woodworker, McNally wants people to feel comfortable doing things they've always wanted to try.
"We really try and demystify the making process. It's not about using fancy words and making you feel uncomfortable. It's about, you know, getting back to the basics," McNally said.
"How do you use a drill? What is a measuring tape? How do you use fractions? All that sort of stuff to really kind of eliminate that barrier, welcome you in, and then, you know, who knows, you could be the next person teaching a class."
That's why the Foundry is offering a free workshop series called "Women in Woodworking: Furniture as Fine Art," where 10 women will make and design their own table.
Emma Brittain is the Makerspace Manager. She says you don't need any of your own equipment.
"The very first class is going to be basically what our woodshop safety class is, so people are going to walk through all the tools in the space, and get the basic safety overview, and then they're going to be able to come in during our Open Maker Hours and keep practicing those skills," Brittain said.
Brittain said once people learn those skills, the possibilities are endless.
"I've been to see, you know, middle school kids get that, like, I made something on the laser cutter super excited, to we have adult members in the community who are starting businesses, and getting financial freedom, and gaining control of their lives in a way that might not have been possible if The Foundry wasn't here, so really it's just fulfilling on all levels," Brittain said.
If you would like to apply for the free workshop, the deadline is Feb. 12.