ABOUT
​MISSION AND HISTORY
Spark Makerspace was founded in 2015 by a group of artists, techies, and entrepreneurs, all of them makers, looking to support creativity by providing urban dwellers and the region with resources they did not have at home. With support from CTNext, the City of New London, and some very generous individuals, we opened our first community workshop space at 86 Golden Street in New London CT in June 2016. In 2017 we relocated to State Street where we grew from 30 to 130 active members. Spark was awarded a Frank Loomis Palmer grant which helped hire an Executive Director, and award 12 scholarships. The move provided an opportunity to restructure the organization and focus on a member-centered approach to organizing. As part of that effort, Spark formed a Member Advisory Council with 2 seats on the Board of Directors. The Council empowered members to develop education policies and procedures. The Council initiated Spark’s hallmark accomplishments of Classes and Meetups where members teach and share skills within the community and with the general public. Spark Makerspace grew beyond the capacity of the State Street location. To accommodate growth and embrace the momentum, Spark and friends bought a historic 9,400 square foot commercial building on Union Street in New London which it renovated throughout 2021, and is proud to say is now completed and open!
Mission: Supporting makers with the space, equipment, education, and community to create a spark in their creativity.
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Vision: To be a vibrant community hub for making, creativity, and collaboration in southeastern CT.
CORE VALUES
Social: Being a SOCIAL hub for support, inspiration and empowerment for all who make and all who want to learn to make.
Positivity: We know that a POSITIVE, supportive, educational community culture is necessary for people to grow in their skill levels, whether beginner or advanced.
Access: Providing ACCESS to state of the art tools in a facility that supports new learners and people who are highly experienced in their craft.
Responsibility to be diverse: We have a RESPONSIBILITY to celebrate our cultural roots and gifts to create a society within our space that embraces differences, actively includes a variety of voices, and joins together to be the example for unity in our community and beyond.
Know-how: The skilled crafts people, artists, DIYers, students, teachers, engineers, hackers, hobbyists & activists pride themselves on their “KNOW-HOW to get it done” attitude and engage the Spark community to build new skills together.
Casey Moran
Executive Director
Email: casey@sparkmakerspace.org
STAINED GLASS LEAD
STAINED GLASS LEAD
Visiting Spark
Spark is located at 7 Union Street in New London CT
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Parking:
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There are two city lots (indicated by orange ovals):
The 1-11 Eugene O'Neill Dr. Parking Lot and
The 126-160 Green St Parking
These lots require a fee during weekdays from 8 am until 6 pm paid at the kiosks located in the center islands of the lots. There is no fee on weekends.
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Most on-street parking is two-hour parking from 8 am to 6 pm Mon-Fri and free otherwise. Please read the signs carefully.
Tours and Sign Up days
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We open for tours and new member sign-ups on Saturdays from 1-3 PM.
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When coming please enter through the big orange doors (see picture to the right)
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Our doorbell is located above the key fob reader.