Preliminary Feasibility Study - Las Cruces, NM

Last year the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and Doña Ana Arts Council worked with Cruces Creatives and Artspace, a national artist housing organization, to see if there is a need in Las Cruces for artistic specific housing.

At this point Terra Winter fundraising for the next study and looking for routes to make an artist living space in Las Cruces possible. Thank you, Terra! If you'd like to contribute to the next stage please donate here. 

A special shoutout to additional supporters and partners the U.S. Bank Foundation, Nusenda Credit Union, and NMSU's Art Museum.  

Read the report here.

Even during the pandemic, the makerspace community has kept busy! Learn what Cruces Creatives accomplished through the 2020 Activities Report:

Cruces Creatives 2020 Activities Report.pdf

Want to learn how to organize a paint-by-numbers mural like the one at Branigan Library? Check out this handy manual that we were able to put together thanks to funding from the Rumphius Foundation: CC_ParticipatoryMuralsBooklet.pdf

Reopening - December 2020

Begins Dec 4th

Cruces Creatives will be reopening December 4th and we wanted to share a few of the new policies and safety guidelines with you.

Facility

• We will be open Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am – 6pm; and Saturdays 10am – 5pm.

• For the time being, we will only be open on these 3 days and during limited hours. Over time we will add more hours.

• As part of our reopening, our hours will be for members and volunteers only. If you are an individual from the public, please schedule a time with Lindsey McDonald, either through l.mcdonald@crucescreatives.org or 575-448-1072. (We have a few shifts with fewer hands than normal, and this phased opening and scheduling will allow our team to keep up with needed safety tasks. Thanks for your patience on this!)

• Our Kids Room is currently closed.

• The Classroom / Conference Room is currently closed for PPE production.

• We have a new limited capacity of 24.

• Each room will have a max number of participants. There will be signs on each room announcing that number. 

• Each shift monitors will sanitize heavily used places like door handles, and the logbook station

• The Break Room will have limited functions, including no community coffee, no shared food, no reusable kitchenware, and only one user at a time. All food consumption should only happen in the Break Room, though it is recommended to best eat outdoors alone.

• For the moment, most classes, workshops, and events are suspended. We'll share more info on these activities restarting at a later time. 

Rules of Behavior

• Masks – everyone masked, all the time unless you have a medical reason not to, or are under the age of 3.

• If an individual has shown COVID symptoms, they should avoid Cruces Creatives for at least 2 weeks after symptoms have dissipated.

• Members, volunteers, and any visitors should use hand sanitizer before logging into the Logbook.

• Member, volunteers, and visitors should regularly wash their hands while at CC, and for 20+ seconds. 

• Everyone is required to stay 6’+ away from one another.

• All individuals should clean work stations, both before and after use. Cleaning supplies will be placed around the building.

• Members and volunteers will need to have their own PPE. Folks can either come with their own, or there will be eye protection and ear plugs available for sale at the front desk.

Thank you again for being part of our larger Cruces Creatives community. We'll be doing our best to maintain good safety and sanitizing practices, and appreciate your help in these practices to keep our community safe. You, our members, our volunteers, our team, and the wider community we connect to are the whole reason we exist. 

Stay safe and thank you,

Lea, the CC Board, and the Admin Team

Cruces Creatives will be reopening starting this week and we wanted to share a few of the new policies and safety guidelines with you.

Facility

• Our first reopening date is Wednesday, June 17^th.

• We will be open Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am – 6pm; and Saturdays 9am – 5pm.

• For the time being, we will only be open on these 3 days and during limited hours. Over time we will add more hours.

• As part of our Phase 1 reopening, our hours will be for members and volunteers only. If you are an individual from the public, please schedule a time with Lindsey McDonald, either through l.mcdonald@crucescreatives.org or 575-448-1072. (We have a few shifts with fewer hands than normal, and this phased opening and scheduling will allow our team to keep up with needed safety tasks. Thanks for your patience on this!)

• Our Kids Room is currently closed.

• The Classroom / Conference Room is currently closed for PPE production.

• We have a new limited capacity of 49.

• Each room will have a max number of participants. There will be signs on each room announcing that number. 

• Each shift monitors will sanitize heavily used places like door handles, and the logbook station

• The Break Room will have limited functions, including no community coffee, no shared food, no reusable kitchenware, and only one user at a time. All food consumption should only happen in the Break Room.

• For the moment, most classes, workshops, and events are suspended. We'll share more info on these activities restarting at a later time. 

Rules of Behavior

• Masks – everyone masked, all the time unless you have a medical reason not to, or are under the age of 3.

• If an individual has shown COVID symptoms, they should avoid Cruces Creatives for at least 2 weeks after symptoms have dissipated.

• Members, volunteers, and any visitors should use hand sanitizer before logging into the Logbook.

• Member, volunteers, and visitors should regularly wash their hands while at CC, and for 20+ seconds. 

• Everyone is required to stay 6’+ away from one another.

• All individuals should clean work stations, both before and after use. Cleaning supplies will be placed around the building.

• Members and volunteers will need to have their own PPE. Folks can either come with their own, or there will be eye protection and ear plugs available for sale at the front desk.

Thank you again for being part of our larger Cruces Creatives community. We'll be doing our best to maintain good safety and sanitizing practices, and appreciate your help in these practices to keep our community safe. You, our members, our volunteers, our team, and the wider community we connect to are the whole reason we exist. 

Stay safe and thank you,

Lea, the CC Board, and the Admin Team

-----------

PS. Two our team members, Lea Wise-Surguy and Patrick DeSimio, are expecting their first child this August / September!

As such, they will both be out of the office for the foreseeable future. If you need to contact them for questions, special projects, or other important tasks, please feel free to email them at l.wisesurguy@crucescreatives.org and p.desimio@crucescreatives.org. They will respond as soon as they can. 

Here’s an update on the makerspace projects to help reduce the impacts of Covid-19. From last week’s call for interest in several possible projects, over 70 community members responded, and now progress is underway on several types of personal protective equipment (PPE) and student activity kits. Most are in the final stages of design, and production should begin this coming week.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

3D-Printed Masks with Filter Cartridges

For medical personnel, 15 volunteers with Cruces Creatives are designing 3D-printed plastic face masks with cartridge inserts for filters (which can be MERV 13, N95, or HEPA). Physicians at Memorial Medical Center are testing the designs and giving feedback to ensure that the masks are effective, and based on their feedback, the masks are currently in the final phases of design and testing. Memorial Medical Center requests 1,000 units.

Fabric Face Masks

To reduce transmission risks from people who are sick and to reduce the risks to medical personnel in the absence of ideal PPE, fabric face masks are needed. A team of 50 textile volunteers with Cruces Creatives will be sewing fabric masks with inserts for filters.

Face Shields

Face shields can reduce the risk to medical personnel during procedures such as intubation. The face shields manufactured by the Cruces Creatives team have been confirmed effective by personnel at Memorial Medical Center.

The Las Cruces maker community has really come together to make a difference in these extraordinary circumstances. In addition to the 70 volunteers who are contributing their time and expertise, dozens of people have donated materials, an anonymous donor has provided $500 for materials for PPE, and Dirk Squibb, the manager of Johnstone Supply, has donated hundreds of yards of MERV 13 filter material. Over the coming month, we plan to alleviate the shortage of PPE in our community—and save lives—by producing around 1,000 units (or more) of each type of PPE.

If you would like to be involved, you can volunteer by contacting team leads for the different projects:

• Face Shield Project: Jon Simmons, j.simmons@crucescreatives.org

• 3D-Printed Masks with Filter Cartridges: Jeff Curry, jeff.curry@gmail.com

• Fabric Face Masks: Lindsey McDonald l.mcdonald@crucescreatives.org

You can also make an earmarked donation for PPE production by contributing at https://crucescreatives.org/donate-money/ with a comment that the donation is for PPE.

---

Student Activity Kits

On a lighter note, Cruces Creatives is also producing activity kits with lesson plans for Las Cruces Public School students, who are now learning remotely. The kits will be sent home with students during school lunch pickups, and some kits will also be available for pickup at Cruces Creatives.

These kits are being developed with support from the New Mexico STEM Outreach Center. Cruces Creatives would also like to thank the Las Cruces Arts Association, which has given an additional $500 toward this project.  

If you would like to be involved, you can volunteer by contacting the team lead for this project, Sandy Smith, at s.smith@crucescreatives.org.

You can also make an earmarked donation for student kit production by contributing at https://crucescreatives.org/donate-money/ with a comment that the donation is for student kits.

Be safe and well wishes, 

Lea Wise-Surguy, Executive Director

The Cruces Creatives Board

The Admin Team

And all our Volunteers

Through the Cruces Creatives community, there are several ways you could help Las Cruces weather COVID-19:

As we explore options, we're reaching out to you to gauge interest and identify the resources that are available. To help, please take a moment to read more about the project options and complete quick surveys on the projects that interest you. 

Sewing Face Masks

To combat face mask shortages and help keep medical personnel healthy, we can sew face masks following CDC guidelines.

Face Mask Survey

3D Printing Ventilator Parts and/or Face Masks

As ventilators are used, some parts need replacing sooner than others--and we could 3D print those parts. Additionally, some face masks can be 3D printed. 

3D Printing Survey

 

Student Activity Kits

Kits with lesson plans and materials can help students keep learning, and we have a partnership opportunity with LCPS to distribute learning kits along with school lunches.

Activity Kit Survey

Thank you for all your time and effort.

Very best, 

Lea Wise-Surguy, Executive Director

The Cruces Creatives Board

The Admin Team

Ideas for at Home - cont.

Agriculture

If you work in ag, we know you’re still out working the fields and are hope for this spring to keep being so mild and wet. Did you know CC has a special project focused on ag technology and sustainable ag? If you’re interested in sharing with us technological ideas you know need addressing in agriculture, or if you’d like to work with us on New Mexico sustainable agriculture, reach out; we’d love to work with you!

To give recommendations for ag tech or problems that need addressing, or to join fellow sustainable farmers and ranchers, email project manager Patrick DeSimio at p.desimio@crucescreatives.org

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Tools: Come build tools, shelves, special planting beds, and more in our wood shop

Service: Job Shop – Want something custom built but don’t have the time to make it? We offer prototyping and custom build services. Reach out to us to start a project

https://crucescreatives.org/Job-Shop

           

Teaching – Share your skills!

There are so many great skills and projects you know how to do, and we’d love to host you at Cruces Creatives. This is a great time to work on lesson plans for your future classes.

Making a lesson plan

https://www.goguardian.com/resources/teachers/how-to-write-a-lesson-plan-a-teachers-guide/

Some Tips for Being a Great Teacher

https://busyteacher.org/16874-how-to-become-the-best-teacher-students-advice.html

For the Future:

Opportunity: Submit a proposal to teach a class with us at: https://crucescreatives.org/Propose-a-Program

Opportunity: Cruces Creatives is thinking of online classes and events, if you have an idea reach out to us. We’d love to do innovative and creative ideas with you!

This list is just a short list of what’s possible--hope you find great resources to get your projects started. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon and hearing and seeing your new ideas!

Very best,

Lea Wise-Surguy, ED

The Cruces Creatives Board

The Admin Team

Ideas for at Home - cont.

Sustainability & Affordability

Maybe sustainability or cutting costs at home are on your mind? How about planning for some new projects?

Solar

Solar cooker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPRkwnpv-C8

Solar dehydrator

https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/tools/solar-food-dehydrator-plans-zm0z14jjzmar

Making Clothes

An amazing set of instructions with NMSU:

https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/

How to Measure and Plan for Clothes

https://www.clothingpatterns101.com/body-measurements.html

Patterns

https://so-sew-easy.com/free-sewing-patterns/

Cloth Baby Diapers

https://www.diapersewingsupplies.com/free-cloth-diaper-patterns/

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Events: Fix-It-Fairs

Tools: Use the Wood shop, Textile lab and areas around the whole building!

Tools: Use the laser cutter to cut fabrics once you know your pattern

Digital Illustrating & Photography

Maybe the Organ Mountains were especially beautiful today, or you’re ready to start your new business with some product shots and a few flyers. Now is a great time to learn the software and some photography tips and tricks!

Free and Cheap Software Options

https://digitalsynopsis.com/design/adobe-creative-cloud-free-alternatives/?fbclid=IwAR0qv_3rVDQ8UZlO0RYgnXN8BIDvEtYKEUL-0wakpda1A-KtDrRt8bJBaos 

Simple Photography Tricks

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/20-easy-photography-tricks-that-will-make-you-picture-taking-master.html

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Events: Doña Ana Photo Club

Events: Photography Boot Camp

Tools: Use our backdrops, lights, and private studio to make your photography project come true

Tools: Use our photo printer to print your images

Drawing & Painting

Quiet time without deadlines is perfect for really getting into a drawing or painting. And in between sessions, maybe it’s time to catch up on some art history to help place yourself in the grander scheme of art. (If you’ve been to art school or plan to, be ready for this idea.)

Doodling for Kids

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems

Different Drawing Techniques

https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-start-a-drawing-5-methods-for-beginners--cms-26001

Art History

12 Famous Museums Tours

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours?fbclid=IwAR0-yOjTDuM19S_WOlWwVhCYdsMso2l_kifb3IbLl-voWPudwIuyOReT_UM

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Events: Join one of Wayne Huber’s drawing classes – Beginning Drawing and Painting, Youth Art Classes, Intermediate Drawing and Painting, or Art Critique

Events: Open Studio for Artwork

Events: First Friday Art Shows

Tools: Use our easels and take advantage of our spare art supplies

Tools: Use our projector to trace designs for large images

Tools: Use our light tables

Opportunities: Reach out to curator@crucescreatives.org to have a show at Cruces Creatives

Small-Scale Vinyl Cutting

Did you know Cruces Creatives has several Cricut vinyl cutters? You can access the software online for free and plan your designs ahead of time. Maybe you want an inspirational quote on your wall, maybe you want to relabel your shelves, or make stickers for your business. Make your designs now and come in later to cut them.

Free Online Cricut Software

https://design.cricut.com/?_ga=2.241737730.146713271.1584575816-1223371455.1584575816#/launcher

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Tools: Come use our Cricut cutters

Tools: Use our heat press for t-shirts, hats, bandanas, and more

Science and Technology

Make a game, an app, or work on that gadget sitting in the garage. And if you’ve made a new design or a scientific discovery, or are on the way towards one, come build your experimental equipment with us. Plan out your machines and have your designs ready for the tools when we reopen. Also think about having a presentation with us to share with the community. This can be a great way to get feedback to push your idea forward.

Gaming

Teaching kids coding through creating a game

https://make.gamefroot.com/

Make a Game

https://www.buildbox.com/license-options/

Areas of Growth in Science

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/most-stable-professional-sectors-science-technology

Areas of Growth in Technology

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/technology-industry-outlook.html

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Tools: Take your photographs, make marketing materials, and get your ideas off the ground using our photo lab, vinyl cutters and more

Opportunities: Do a presentation with us and get feedback from your peers. Submit a proposal

https://crucescreatives.org/Propose-a-Program

Ideas for at Home - cont.

3D Printing & Laser Cutting

Now is a great time for home research and learning new software tools. Take some online tutorials to learn more about 3D printing so you’ll be ready to jump on the machines when you come back.

Beginner’s Guide to 3D Printing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Z3GmM20JM

Learn about Laser Cutting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdACSB8GH3Y

A Few Software Programs to make Designs

Tinkercad

https://www.tinkercad.com/

SketchUp

https://www.sketchup.com/

Inkscape

https://inkscape.org/

For the Future at Cruces Creatives: 

Tools: A variety of 3D printers

Tools: Our laser engraver and cutter

Audio Recording

What stories do you think you might want to share with future generations, or what songs are you working on that you want to record and release? Make your outlines, practice your pieces, and come record when we reopen.

How to Write a Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QnHGFDo1jo

147 Ways to Write a Melody (an interesting view on melody writing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Ej4Jpquas

5 Places to Collect and Preserve Family Stories

https://www.thoughtco.com/online-memory-sharing-1422102

For the Future at Cruces Creatives: 

Events: Come to our Audio Recording Classes

Events: Come to our All Original Open Mics

Events: Come to the Crossroads Songcrafting Collaborative

Tools: Use our audio recording equipment

Getting Fresh Air – Walking & Bicycles

Fresh air and sunlight are great for health. If you run into any goat heads or realize your bike needs a tune-up, come visit us for the Community Bike Shop once things reopen!

Las Cruces Trails

https://las-cruces.org/1417/Trails

For the Future at Cruces Creatives: 

Events: Come to Saturday Community Bike Shop

Events: Come to Thursday Community Bike Shop

Tools: Repair or upgrade your bike in the Bicycle Shop

Tools: Repair your shoes in the Textile Room

Cooking, Casting & Cooking Tech

So much time for cooking and enjoying food! Also, did you know Cruces Creatives has a small vacuum mold maker for casting, and that we’re working on larger plastic machines as well? If you’re into making chocolates, gummies, and other candies, start practicing your recipes now and come make new and interesting molds when we reopen. (If you’re wanting to make custom molds, you might also want to learn 3D printing.) Also, you can start new solar cooking machines in preparation for the summer!

Casting & Mold-making

Introduction to flexible molds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR9U9oQp6pE

What is Vacuum forming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ2khPSVYoo

Chocolate molds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-vL-SsynA

Gummi molds

Intro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3_dV-e4d9c

Making a custom gummy or chocolate mold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRwLxSwXpuM

Ok, this is sort of ridiculous, everyone might want to watch: Gummy Chicken

https://laughingsquid.com/a-life-size-gummy-chicken-created-by-casting-a-real-cooked-bird-in-silicone/

Solar cooker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPRkwnpv-C8

Solar dehydrator

https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/tools/solar-food-dehydrator-plans-zm0z14jjzmar

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Tools: Use our vacuum former to make custom molds

Tools: Use our 3D printers to make custom designs

Tools: Use the wood shop to build a solar cooker or dehydrator

Writing – Poetry, comedy, stories and more

Expressing yourself and capturing a moment in time is part of what makes art. While you’re hunkered down, get some writing in, then come share your creations at our next Open Mic or next Writing Workshop.

How to write a Poem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0BUYzMypi8

How to Write a Joke

https://www.standupcomedyclinic.com/how-to-write-a-joke-2/

For the Future at Cruces Creatives:

Events: Writers Workshop

Events: All-Original Open Mic

Tools: Use our audio recording and / or photo backgrounds to record your pieces!