Three makers of marginalized gender showcase their projects for a trades residency in East Vancouver

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Three makers in Tools for Change, a makerspace residency for self-identifying women and non-binary people, presented their projects to the public and other makers on June 28 in East Vancouver.

MakerLabs hosts the residency to bridge the gender gap in the male-dominated trades space.

“The residency creates a safe space for women and non-binary people to have the freedom to work without being judged or have the pressure that sometimes normally comes with minorities and trades areas or art spaces,” says Greta Burley, Tools for Change co-facilitator and instructor.

The residency is a two-month program where residents start off as a mentee and take three classes, which focus on using a laser, woodworking, and computer numerical control router tools, in addition to an elective. The mentees then become mentors to the other residents during the second month as they work on their projects.

The showcase displayed the May cohort’s projects.

Iris Janssen, the first resident to present, created four laser-cut images on wood, a foot roller, ceramic bowls and mugs, two hoodies with embroideries, and a puzzle, while another resident,

Shira Wilf, made a wooden man, which folds into a table.

The wooden man has a mirror on its face and an engraved Hebrew spiral with the names of God on its stomach. Wilf also created about five wooden candle holders and mini vases.

The third resident, Gemma Crowe, created an immersive sound installation, which features the sounds of her tapping and scratching the piece’s wooden hood. 

Crowe became interested in immersive, movement-based experiences through her background in contemporary dance and creating dance films. She was inspired to make an immersive piece after studying at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

“I was trying to make immersive installations that would affect the body, and I found sound was the best way to do that because it bypasses the analytical, visual, processing, and cognition that happens when you’re looking,” Crowe says.

“You get more into the subconscious and into the body when you’re listening.”

She was also inspired by autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and binaural music sound therapies.

Crowe accompanied the installation with three wooden cubes featuring recorded knocking sounds, which can be felt when touched.

Since MakerLabs launched Tools for Change in March 2018, the makerspace’s members have gone from being around 90 per cent male to a more equal split among genders.

In addition to inclusivity, the residency gives women and non-binary makers a sense of community by having mentors and instructors available to help them with projects and learning the tools.

Tools for Change also allows residents to learn new skills they may not have without a trades background, training, or education.

“I really feel passionately, before coming into this residency but also after, that the ability to make something yourself and familiarize yourself with tools for production is so much more empowering than just, ‘I can do this now, and I don’t need to pay someone to do it,’” Crowe says.

Tools for Change residents receive a shared studio space, extended access to MakerLabs, and discounts on classes.

For interested women and non-binary makers, the residency has an online application.

“We’re mainly looking for people who are dedicated to the community, and they can be from all walks of life and all backgrounds,” Burley says. “Our main thing is community and commitment and creating that safe space for women and marginalized genders.”