By Ashlyn Rhodes

Everyone loves their hobbies, but some are more expensive than others.  For those who like to make pottery or work with wood or metal, equipment and space to work can be very expensive.  That’s why a group of artists got together to create the Curious Forge.  The Forge is a community of artists who work together to share a workspace and equipment, as well as their skill.  Members of the forge share the cost of supplying and maintaining the workshop and work to keep the space clean.  The Forge opens its doors for public workshops and classes, as well as community support projects like teaching crafting classes to Lyman Gilmore School.  Founding member Liam Ellerby says the Forge is a great option for local artists.

click to hear Liam Ellerby

The Forge, located on Loma Rica Drive in Grass Valley, works on a cooperative model.  Members donate eight hours of their time a month to help around the forge and pitch in to pay dues to keep the forge running, and in return get 24-hour access to the workspace and all the equipment inside.  Ellerby jokes that anyone asking for help with a project in the Forge gets stampeded by eager volunteers, more than willing to lend a hand.

The Curious Forge will be hosting an open house this evening, from 6 to 8, at their location at 12400 Loma Rica Drive in Grass Valley.  Visitors can see current projects, talk with members, and learn about up-coming public workshops.  Ellerby says the Forge is also dedicated to keeping shop in schools, and is working on a program that would host wood, metal, and leather-working classes for students, as well as pottery and jewelry-making.  The Forge is always looking for new members.

click to listen to Liam Ellerby

You can check out the volunteer-run Curious Forge tonight from 6 to 8 on Loma Rica Drive, or go on their website thecuriousforge.org to learn more about membership and public workshops.  You can contact the Forge through their website or by calling (530) 210-6040.