A Look Into Our Transformative 2023
Dear Friends and Supporters of Would Works,
Winding down this year, we express deep gratitude for your support and engagement with Would Works. 2023 began expansively: WW Community Builders Program Artisans and our team took a field trip to the snow-covered Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains north of the city. Shirley is the Artisan Lead at Would Works and was born and raised in LA. She’s now in her mid-60’s, yet she’s never been up to the Angeles Forest. Our city is surrounded by abundant landscapes, but many residents who face barriers to employment also lack access to experiences in nature. This forest visit reflects the growth trajectory of Would Works, which we illuminate here.
Winding down this year, we express deep gratitude for your support and engagement with Would Works. 2023 began expansively: WW Community Builders Program Artisans and our team took a field trip to the snow-covered Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains north of the city. Shirley is the Artisan Lead at Would Works and was born and raised in LA. She’s now in her mid-60’s, yet she’s never been up to the Angeles Forest. Our city is surrounded by abundant landscapes, but many residents who face barriers to employment also lack access to experiences in nature. This forest visit reflects the growth trajectory of Would Works, which we illuminate here.
Building Bright Futures with the Fall/Winter Young Makers Cohort
As we wrap up our Young Makers Fall/Winter cohort, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate all the inspiring youth that came through the program from our referral partner Jovenes last year.
WW Volunteers Help Build Out Our New Expanded Shop
Our monthly volunteer days bring together our Artisans, staff and volunteer woodworkers from around LA to work on various projects around the shop. This month, our volunteers helped build lumber racks and rolling carts for our benchtop machines.
Artisans take a tour of our creative partners around LA
Come along on our tour of local lumber yards, mills, and furniture shops! Program Director Michele Liu takes our Artisans to see the work of some of the great creative businesses that make our work possible. "As we transition into building a more robust training program we felt it was important for the Artisans to see the full picture what woodworking is like from beginning to end." says Liu.
Welcome Our New Program Director Michele Liu!
In addition to leading the relaunch of Would Works existing programs this Spring, Michele will be developing the new "Outdoor Workshop" model as we pivot our program to include the design and fabrication of outdoor furniture for public spaces around LA.
Would Works Artisans are Artists in Residence at Lehrer Architects LA!
We're thrilled to announce our October residency at Lehrer Architects LA in Silver Lake. We are holding work sessions in the firm's workshop (or RaD Room) with eight women from the Downtown Women's Center on Mondays and Wednesdays this month.
Help Would Works Find a New Home
Would Works recently lost our donated workshop space and we are facing a programing hiatus while we look for a new home. We need your help to find a new home for Would Works so we can continue to offer the job opportunities and programing to our amazing team of artisans.
New Tools=New Skills: Custom Laser Etching by Would Works
Thanks to a generous in-kind-donation from an outstanding member of our woodworking community, Would Works is now equipped with a state of the art laser engraver. This allows us to custom engrave any of our existing products, or design new branded products for businesses, TV shows (it is LA after all), or private events.
July notes from the shop floor
Ali, Jerome, and Joe were sanding and hand rubbing oil on a new set of white oak boards. The room was filled with the sounds of sanders and classic rock blasting on the radio.
