Community Make Space is a working studio in Marshall, North Carolina, where people gather to write, print, experiment, learn, and build creative practices together.
You Do You: Make Your Own Polymer Buttons
An introduction to color, form, and playful design. Thursday, Oct 22, 10am-2pm. With Barbara McGuire.
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An introduction to color, form, and playful design
Thursday, October 22 · 10am–2pm
$65 + $12 materials fee, paid directly to the instructor on the day of class
All tools and additional materials provided.
Optional self-directed studio work session:
Thursday, October 29 · 10am–12pm
Flexible $10-$15 drop in rate
Make buttons that are entirely your own—colorful, wonky, precise, playful, unexpected. In this hands-on beginner class, local artist Barbara McGuire will introduce you to the surprisingly versatile world of polymer clay and show you how to design and create durable, waterproof buttons.
We’ll explore color, shape, contrast, pattern, and the basic principles of design, from the first idea to the finished button. You’ll learn the fundamentals of working with polymer clay while experimenting with your own visual language—and you’ll leave with buttons in your hands and plenty of ideas for what to make next.
Bring anything you’d like to make buttons for: a favorite cardigan, jacket, bag, journal, or something entirely unexpected. No previous experience necessary.
The class includes a short lunch/stretch break (byol) while the buttons cure, with plenty of time for questions and conversation. An optional self-directed studio work session the following week will offer additional making time for those who want to keep their practice going.
About the instructor:
Barbara A. McGuire is a local artist, author of more than ten instructional art books, and longtime teacher. Her mantra is “Art Grounds Me” and her motto is “You Do You.” She presently teaches in her studio sanctuary as well as select engagements locally. Barbara’s work can be seen in Mars Landing Galleries and (soon) at Flow Gallery. You can find her online at www.womancreativeconnection.com.
Studio Practice Membership
Ongoing membership for dedicated time and space to return to your work, week after week.
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Community Rate — $45
For those who would benefit from a reduced price. No explanation needed.
Standard Rate — $65
The regular cost of participation and the rate that reflects the true cost of offering the program.
Sustaining Rate — $85
For those who are able to contribute a little extra. Your generosity helps make Community Rates possible and supports the long-term sustainability of Community Make Space.
Studio Practice is Community Make Space’s ongoing membership for those who want a dedicated place to return to their work in the company of others.
This is not a class series—it is a creative rhythm. Members gather each week for shared making, independent studio time, creative conversation, encouragement, and the steady practice of showing up.
Studio Practice includes built-in opportunities for connection, conversation, and creative exchange. These invitations are offered as part of the studio experience, but participation is always your choice. Some days you may want to share ideas and work alongside others, while on other days you may need quiet, focused time with your own work.
Headphones are always welcome as a signal that you are in immersive work mode. Quiet concentration is part of the rhythm of the studio, too.
Mondays
Community Craft | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Begin the week in good company. Community Craft is a weekly hands-on making session centered around conversation, camaraderie, connection, and community.
Bring a portable project of any kind, experiment with shared tools and supplies, or simply settle in around the community tables for a relaxed morning of making alongside others.
Extended Studio Time | 12:00–2:00 PM
A chance to linger, continue, and carry your work forward. Studio Practice members are invited to bring lunch, settle in, and enjoy an extended afternoon of focused creative time.
Community Evenings | 6:30–8:00 PM
Weekly gatherings for creative exploration, including collage, creative journaling, mending, and writing.
Studio Practice members are always welcome to bring an independent project. While conversation and connection are hallmarks of our Monday programming, focused individual work is equally valued and supported.
Wednesdays
Studio Practice | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Dedicated member studio time. Bring an ongoing project, experiment with materials, develop ideas, or simply make space for your creative practice.
Extended Studio Time | 12:00–2:00 PM
A chance to linger, continue, and carry your work forward. Studio Practice members are invited to bring lunch, settle in, and enjoy an extended afternoon of focused creative time.
Image Lab (AKA Marshall Chapter of the Lynda Barry Fan Club) | 2:00–3:30 PM
A weekly exploration of images, observation, drawing, collage, and visual thinking. Studio Practice members are invited to participate in Image Lab or use this time for extended independent studio work.
Fridays
Studio Practice | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Dedicated member studio time for continuing projects, experimenting, and working alongside other makers.
Extended Studio Time | 12:00–2:00 PM
A chance to linger, continue, and carry your work forward. Studio Practice members are invited to bring lunch, settle in, and enjoy an extended afternoon of focused creative time.
Studio Practice Membership Includes
Personal locker
Flat-file storage space for works in progress
Dedicated weekly studio rhythm
Supportive creative community
Come as you are. Work at your own pace. Return to your practice week after week.
Renews automatically each month. Need to step away? Cancel anytime—you’re always welcome to return.
Community Mondays
Two daytime gatherings + one evening offering every Monday.
Every Monday: Community Craft, 10-12, Free open to all
Every Monday: Español para Todos, 2-3:30, Free open to all
1st Monday: Collage Night, 6:30-8, Free open to all
2nd Monday: Creative Journaling, 6:30-8, Free open to all
3rd Monday: Mending Party: 6:30-8, Free open to all
4th Monday: Write Night: 6:30-8, Free open to all
Image Lab
AKA: Marshall Chapter of the Lynda Barry Fan Club.
Wednesdays, 2-3:30
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Wednesdays, 2:00 to 3:30PM
(AKA: Marshall Chapter of the Lynda Barry Fan Club)
Image Lab invites us to explore image as a way of knowing, remembering, and expressing what is deeply rooted in us. Through the practice of attention, we learn to notice images more fully, follow where they lead, and discover the connections between seeing, making, writing, and creative practice.
Inspired by the teaching methods and creative practice of Lynda Barry, we'll experiment with exercises drawn from Syllabus, Making Comics, and What It Is, adapting them to our own studio practice through writing, drawing, collage, observation, reading, and conversation.
Image Lab is offered at a flexible drop-in rate of $10–20. Your support helps sustain gatherings like this at Community Make Space. Thank you!
Working Journal Book Arts Workshop
A monthly poetry workshop built around close reading, beginner’s mind, revision, image, and exchange.
1st, 2nd, 4th & last Wednesdays 6:30-8
Specimen Book Project
Watercolor Work Session
Self-directed watercolor studio session open to artists of all experience levels.
Fridays 2-4
Join us Fridays from 2–4pm for a relaxed, self-directed watercolor studio session open to artists of all experience levels.
Bring your own materials and works-in-progress, or simply come spend a quiet afternoon painting alongside others in our light-filled studio. This is an informal community work time rather than an instructional class—a chance to build creative momentum, exchange ideas, and make space for your practice in good company.
This offering is hosted by Community Make Space on a donation basis. A suggested contribution of $10 (or more) helps support the studio and keeps our community art programming accessible.