Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew? Ever wondered what all the buttons on your cellphone camera mean? How to woodwork? Well, you will have the opportunity to learn all this and more right in Seneca!

The Driftless Makerspace is in the works, located in the old Seneca feed mill office at 154 Main Street, next to Greeners Corner. Headed up by several community members, it aims to provide Seneca with a third space, a place where community can gather and learn, create things and open up new connections.

A grand opening is planned for January 26, 2026, but several events and classes are being planned for the end of the year, to introduce people to what the space will have to offer.

Kate Koziol, a major organizer and collaborator says, “We are still in the development stages, and we are working with people who connect with the idea, trying to figure out how this can play out to its full potential. We want to have classes from hunter safety to watercolor, and everything in between.”

Koziol, an entrepreneur and economic developer for the State of Wisconsin, moved to Seneca in 2017. “I’m so happy to have found Seneca, and it’s a terrific place without adding anything, but we want to welcome all kinds of different people and bring them together.”

  Classes, workshops, community events, and independent work are all opportunities that the makerspace plans to offer.

A Menz Shed, an international organization that aims to bring men together to talk and connect, will also be included in the space.

 The space will be organized into several ‘zones’. These zones will accommodate various activities, creating dedicated areas for different purposes. 

   A resource library, filled with books, manuals, and online resources, will be provided.

  There are also hopes to offer a coffee spot in the future, to supplement the space.

   “This is by and for community,” said Arielle Goodman, of Connected for Good, about the project. “It’s still very much evolving, but people are excited about this.”

The space will also plan to provide a place to help others. Clothing swaps and charity events are all on the table, providing resources and opportunities for Seneca-area residents.

All ages are welcome, and cross-generational engagement is particularly encouraged.

“We want to create a place where different people from different backgrounds can meet and learn and share a laugh–the old can learn from the young and the young from the old.” explained Koziol.

   It will be a volunteer driven effort, as volunteers will play a large role in the maintenance, operation, and programming of the makerspace.

The project is currently in working in collaboration with Seneca Schools, directly involving Seneca students in helping create and develop the space, but wants to offer support for all schools and residents in the area.

The space has outlined six student internships. These range from coffee shop management to workshop coordinator. Leadership roles and opportunities are to be offered to young people and students, broadening their horizons and giving them more opportunity to develop skillsets and create new things.

   Organizers have spoken with the Seneca School Board, Seneca Community Club, and local businesses about the makerspace. Their goal is to collaborate with the surrounding establishments, not to duplicate or replace.

  Andy Marshall, a crucial planner and organizer, said,  “It’s about empowering everyone. It’s the people and the culture that make the place, and we want a third space where people can be more in the community by being more themselves.”

 Marshall is a retired systems engineer, and has been involved in student STEAM activities focused around robotics. He states that it was these experiences, teaching, and solving problems, which made him realize that everyone is a maker–that everyone has the drive to create stuff.

   “We would like to solicit for anyone interested in participating. We need people to teach, people to attend and learn, and people willing to share equipment and resources.” Marshall states. “We really want feedback, and we hope to quilt different communities and people together”.

  So far, donations have been made to the organization consisting of an entire pottery shop, woodworking equipment, a 3-D printer, and more.

  If anyone has unwanted equipment or creative resources, contact 608-305-4428 to ask about making a donation!

   Makerspaces have been increasingly rising in popularity in schools and communities. Places to plan and create things have always existed in some form, such as library events, school labs, etc. However, the ‘maker movement’ was heavily influenced by the release of Make Magazine in 2005.

   In 2006, the first maker faire took place, creating venues for people to gather and create together, influencing people to begin to organize makerspaces and other maker events.

   There are more than 2,000 makerspaces and Fab Labs across the U.S, which are 14 times as many as there were a decade ago. These types of organizations help to open up opportunities for community and creativity to thrive, and now Seneca is taking part.

  The upcoming makerspace outlines six core values: Welcoming, Collaboration, Learning & Growth, Creativity & Innovation, Respect, and Safety.

Through these values, the Driftless Makerspace hopes to provide Seneca with a new, fun, and informative experience.

    Visit driftlessmaker.org for more information or call 608-305-4428 for questions or comments.