Join the MakerSpace at Saint Martin’s University for a free, family-friendly fundraiser supporting the tools, programs and community that help makers bring their ideas to life.
On the Saint Martin’s University campus in the shadow of Old Main’s iconic façade, you’ll find the bustling Lacey MakerSpace, a community where artists, entrepreneurs, students, small business owners and makers turn ideas into reality.
Saint Martin’s University has been home to Lacey MakerSpace since 2019, when the workshop opened through a partnership among the University, the City of Lacey and the Thurston Economic Development Council. The Lacey MakerSpace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workshop that provides access and training to tools and equipment that people might not otherwise have access to. The organization empowers makers to bring ideas to life and helps cultivate an innovative economy through training on high-tech equipment in a regional workspace for learning new skills. Today, Saint Martin’s students, faculty and staff receive free memberships to the MakerSpace, including access to the workshop serving a variety of disciplines and providing space, tools and training to help bring new products to market.
The community can experience the MakerSpace in action at the Festival of Sparks on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. This first-annual fundraising event is free and will feature local merchants, artists, crafts, food, drink, music, robotics, activities, auctions and demonstrations. Proceeds will support the continued growth of Lacey MakerSpace and its programs, helping provide access to equipment, education and creative opportunities for the community.
RSVPs are not necessary, but you can RSVP online to have an automatic reminder sent out to make sure you don’t miss the event. There’s also still time to sign up as a vendor, performer or sponsor.
Spark your crafting creativity or small business dreams at the MakerSpace Festival of Sparks
Byron Gilmer is the MakerSpace fabrication and client services coordinator. He says everyone is welcome to attend the Festival of Sparks, as the MakerSpace wants to invite the entire community to experience what they do. At the festival, there will be games made in-house — including a claw machine and frog racing — live music, food, drinks, robots from the Olympia High School robotics team, and local vendors from all across the region.
MakerSpace staff also welcome event sponsors at a variety of levels, and folks wanting to show off their wares, tasty treats or entertainment talents. Applications can be found online as well as sponsorship levels and a separate portal for donations towards their growing future.
Sponsorship comes with a booth space if wanted, says Gilmer, and as this is their first public fundraiser, it’s sure to be a festive, fun, fan-packed afternoon. He’s happy to answer questions about the event or future happenings, just send them to info@LaceyMakerSpace.org.
Turn your dreams into a vibrant business thanks to MakerSpace resources
Many users are small business owners, both existing and hopeful, who design, fabricate and perfect their wares without having to purchase expensive equipment or rent dedicated warehouse space.
Mack Benge, summer program manager for the Office of International Programs and Development, used the MakerSpace to help make t-shirts for international students at Saint Martin’s. “[The staff] were very helpful at explaining how to use the programs, and it was easy to catch onto,” Benge says. “I would definitely go back to make more shirts for students. They made the process of making the t-shirts go by faster.”
Joseph Saavedra also learned about the site as a Saint Martin’s student. He graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Today, he uses the MakerSpace to build the ultimate job resume: a talking animatronic parrot. Saavedra is using this build to adorably embody his mechanical engineering portfolio. The final product will incorporate “sewing, electrical motors, woodworking, 3D printing and décor aspects,” he explains. “For an audio animatronic, you need specialized equipment, and the MakerSpace even has metalworking, which many makerspaces don’t offer.”
The volunteers and staff have been “fantastic and approachable,” he says. “They’re amazing and each brings their own experience. I can ask them ‘How would I do this?’ or ‘How would I fabricate this piece?’ and they’re the best at both expertise and collaboration. I just love the community of builders and dreamers.”
Saavedra hopes to work for Disney someday and encourages others to dream big as well. “If you want to do something, just start,” he says. “Don’t let fear hold you back!” Look for him and his colorful prototype at the upcoming Festival of Sparks.
Lacey MakerSpace inspires futures, builds businesses and teaches the next generation
Gilmer says that wrangling the approximately 450 MakerSpace members requires five staff members and more than 50 volunteers. Their outreach is also aided by community partners who donate equipment, supplies, training and leftover worksite materials, which are used in fabrication sitewide.
As well as equipment usage, the MakerSpace hosts classes for the public, welcoming folks in for an afternoon or short session to make everything from engraved pencils and custom printed t-shirts to stained glass panels, welded fire pits, luminary globe lanterns, quilted holiday wreaths, UV resin jewelry, powder-coated Halloween yard art or glass snowflakes. Outside of class sessions, there are introductory sessions teaching the equipment basics, public tours and drop-in sessions to work on projects with others.
The MakerSpace hosts outside collaborators as well, including an upcoming semester-long youth program. Future-Ready Makers is a Manufacturing Academy partnership with North Thurston Public Schools and their Envision Career Academy, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) and //ACE Strategies. The first cohort starts soon and will enjoy “a career exploration course that teaches them how to wear all the hats in a manufacturing company,” says Gilmer.
Keep making at Lacey MakerSpace
Attending the Festival of Sparks on October 10 is a great way to discover what the MakerSpace is all about. But if you can’t make it to the festival, there are still plenty of ways to get involved.
Upcoming Fix-It Fairs match volunteers with repair skills with community members who have broken items that need fixing. These free events reduce waste, save money, keep usable items out of landfills and build a sense of neighborhood camaraderie. Dates, guidelines and volunteer registration are available through the Thurston County event page.
Whether you’re a Saint Martin’s student looking for a place to build, an entrepreneur developing a new product, a hobbyist eager to learn a new skill or simply someone who wants to see what’s possible, Lacey MakerSpace offers a place to start.
Get acquainted at the Festival of Sparks. Take a tour. Get inspired. Create, build and grow at the Lacey MakerSpace.
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