Resources

Nick Ward-Bopp

Nick is Co-Founder of the Maker Village KC which is rehabbing an at-risk building to open a community based workshop for local artists, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs. Along with co-founder Sam Green they are lowering the barriers into the maker movement for Kansas Citians. You may remember their first project the Jarboe Initiative, which inspired them to launch MVKC.

The Buildings, the Materials, You’re Making a Lot out of Very Little. What Attracts You and Others to This Approach and Aesthetic?

When I look at old buildings that are boarded up I instantly start thinking about all the possibilities that space could unlock for the neighborhood, entrepreneurs, and the city as a whole. Most of these circa 1800’s or early 1900’s buildings are primarily built with old growth woods, brick, and steel. Each one has a history and just needs a committed owner and a little love to come back to life.

“You Can’t Buy Style” Is the Phrase That Comes to Mind When Looking Through Your Projects. What Are People Missing out on When They Simply Try to Buy It?

Ha, I like that! Well for starters we can’t buy style, we don’t have a budget for it! We try our best to re-use whenever possible, so a larger part of what is existing often dictates the style. Sam is an engineer and is driven almost solely by utility when we are building or designing something, on the other hand I am more aware of the environment we are creating. That balance is probably what you are seeing.

Years Ago My Old Man Remodeled His House Teaching Himself as He Went. It Soon Became His Profession, Hobby, and Obsession. You Realize There’s No Turning Back Now, Right?

I’ve got the bug for sure. Now we are trying to spread it to others. What can we say? MAKERS GOTTA MAKE!

What’s Next for the Maker Village Kc?

We are taking down an old barn on Labor Day weekend. We plan to use the wood for the renovation of our building at 31st and Cherry. We will continue to rehab the building through the upcoming fall/spring. Then we will open for our FIRST ever workshop series that is funded in part by a Rocket Grant from Charlotte Street Foundation and Spencer Museum of Art.

makervillagekc

What Is Your Latest Epiphany?

Community shops, the DIY movement, and makerspaces are growing but the workshops in our schools are being decommissioned and shut down at an alarming rate. So the adults get to have all of the fun. What about the kids?

Minecraft?

I don’t want to compare it to learning to play guitar on Wii vs. actually learning how to play a real guitar… but i just did.


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