Creating opportunities for creativity

While many people can appreciate the need for a creative outlet, there are many barriers that may prevent someone from pursuing a creative project, including the cost of supplies and a lack of space.

Kimberly Lyon, founder of State Street Creation Station in Algoma, is looking to remove some of those barriers with a new space for local creatives.

“It’s essentially a maker space with a technology aspect and a general art area with supplies for people to come in and basically rent a table space and use the supplies,” Lyon said. “If someone wants to try watercolors, we’ll have watercolors for them to try rather than having to go out and buy everything… They can sit down and play with it and see if it’s something they like.”

In addition to traditional art supplies, State Street Creation Station will also offer access to technology and equipment that many creatives may be interested in trying out but not able to purchase for themselves.

“We’ll have technology like 3D printers that people will be able to use once they’re trained on them and join the group,” Lyons said. “They’ll be able to come in and print things on a 3D printer. We’ll have a laser engraver and Cricut-type cutters and that kind of thing. It’s a combination of art and technology.”

Having a space like State Street Creation Station, Lyon said, is especially helpful to those figuring out what type of art they enjoy and those who just need a little extra space for big projects.

“You can come in and use what we have available instead of having to go out and buy all the stuff to do it just to find out that it really isn’t what you wanted to do,” Lyons said. “Or if you just have that one project that you want to do — if you have a wedding coming up and you need to make a bunch of things… you can come in and rent out space to do that kind of thing.”

There are also benefits outside of the physical space and equipment, though.

“The other aspect is the community part of it,” Lyons said. “If you have an idea of what you want to do, you can come in and there’ll be other creatives probably working — hopefully working — in the area. You can come in and talk about your ideas and troubleshoot or get feedback on if it’s going to work, if it’s not going to work or what you should try. I think we all need more creativity in our lives right now, and this is one way people can do that and be around other creatives.”

Lyon said she is also looking forward to getting State Street Creation Station’s educational offerings up and running.

“I think the classes are going to be huge,” Lyons said. “There are a lot of people who want to try different things and we don’t have, other than clay, a lot of classes in the area. I’m hoping to bring that learning experience to Kewaunee County and the surrounding area.”
Classes are expected to begin in early June.

For those interested in utilizing the State Street Creation Station, Lyon said there will be two main options offered — space rentals and memberships.

“We’ll have space rentals, so if someone wants to come in and rent and eight-by-eight area to come in and set up their easel and paint, we’ll have that opportunity for people,” Lyons said. “We’ll have that opportunity for people to come in and rent out a space for a few hours if that’s all they need. Then we will also have a membership for more of the technology side of things… Once you’re trained [on the equipment], you pay your monthly dues and you can come in and use it when we have open hours or we’ll work out a schedule.”

To learn more about State Street Creation Station and to keep up with upcoming classes and events, check out State Street Creation Station Algoma on Facebook.