Art From Scrap Makerspace
Imagine a creative hub in downtown Santa Barbara brimming with materials, ideas, tools, and creativity. A curated and dynamic gathering space where community members are welcome to imagine, invent, create and collaborate.
Meet Your New Favorite
Place to Create
Opening Summer 2023
AFS Makerspace: Where Imagination Meets Creative Reuse
Explore Ecology is excited to be embarking on a revisioning of our Art From Scrap workshop. Building upon 30 years of creative reuse programming, the new AFS Makerspace will elevate our potential for transformational artmaking. Community members of all abilities and backgrounds will utilize the redesigned Makerspace to explore, rethink, and reuse.
The Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store will provide unparalleled access to a multitude of Art From Scrap materials. These unique items, which would otherwise end up in the landfill, will instead be transformed in the new Makerspace.
There are two main components to this project: funding to increase our palette of tools and for staffing.
Redesigning the workshop space will begin with a modular configuration, so that it can flow effortlessly between its many uses. New technology such as a projector and laser printers will allow rethinking of how to use the bountiful materials from Art From Scrap and inspire projects beyond the workshop.
We’ll also hire a Makerspace Coordinator to plan workshops, experiences, and adventures.
Explore Ecology is working with Sean O’Brien, a local consultant who has experience and expertise in planning and implementing makerspaces such as the one at Moxi. Sean is a passionate educator and artist who will work closely with Explore Ecology staff to rethink the space and cohesive programming development.
The new AFS Makerspace will be a hub for sustainability education where the community can make, ideate, and explore reuse materials and the limitless potential of their creativity.
Support the AFS Makerspace by donating today!
Joey is grateful to have grown up with an abundance of nature around him and is happiest in the water or in the sun. From a young age, Joey felt a responsibility to take care of the Earth in return for all the ways she has taken care of him. This led Joey to pursue a degree in
I love coming to work and getting pets from everyone. In my spare time, I like to sleep, eat, hike, and explore nature. Did I say eat and sleep?
Emma Serr is an artist and a student studying Studio Art at SBCC. Emma has a background in art and customer service, having worked as a camp counselor at sewing camp and assistant for sewing events and classes, and display manager and cashier in previous positions, and was recently a nanny to several young children. Emma first found us as a customer who loved what Art From Scrap represents!
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent her last four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife. Veronica is very passionate about conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. Veronica has spent many summers working in environmental education at various zoos and museums and loves introducing kids to the plants and animals that coexist with us. In her free time, she likes to sit at the beach and read, take dance classes, roller skate, and walk around fancy neighborhoods to look at the houses.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them. Lu is thrilled to be teaching budding scientists about the Earth and why it’s important for us to protect and preserve the environment. 
Lydia
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Ian Docktor
MELISSA BROOKS
Lindsay Johnson