Let's Get Crank'n!
Welcome to the workshop! If you’ve ever felt unsure where to begin with kinetic art, you are in the right place. Below you’ll find more info about what to expect and a current list of upcoming classes.
What to Expect
Let's learn together.
In my classes and workshops, you’ll find a welcoming environment designed to unlock the magic of kinetic art, regardless of your previous experience.
Whether we’re assembling and decorating one of my pre-made automata kits or building a whimsical creation out of wood from scratch, you’ll learn the foundational mechanics necessary to make kinetic art.
My ultimate goal is to build a community of automata & kinetic artists here locally in Eugene so we can all grow, support, learn and play together.
—Gary
Classes & Registration
Upcoming Workshops
Automata (art) as a business – what it takes to succeed
- Date: Saturday, August 29th
- About this Class:
We’re going to take a look at the big picture together. Being an automata maker is hard enough, but making it into a business takes a lot more than you would think. You’ll have to wear many hats and fundamentally change the way you think. It’s also a lot more emotional than a business that sells a standard product or service.We’ll talk about the tools and workspace. Specifically, how to start with basic tools and a tiny space and work up to a full shop, automation and batch production.
We’ll talk about how to price your work so that you feel good about what you are charging and can still make it as a business. You can’t price based on things similar to yours and survive.
We’ll talk about all of the hidden costs. You’ll need things like insurance, displays and other marketing equipment like a good camera, lighting, and a dedicated space to record and promote your work. You can start out fairly simple, but you need to be pricing the future costs of expansion in from the beginning or you’ll have to change all of your pricing every time you have a new expense.
This class is appropriate for anyone interested in making art for a living. If you are wondering if starting an art business is worth the effort and emotional work, or trying to make a your current hobby into one, this is a chance to hear the reality of what it takes from someone with a few years in the trenches.
More opportunities are in the works for this fall. Check back here for new workshop announcements or subscribe to my Substack to get notified of upcoming classes & workshops when I post them!