Local makers and educators Kelly Taylor and Dina Gjertsen of Parts and Crafts, a family makerspace on Somerville Avenue, display an assortment of handmade gadgets and toys.

At Union Square networking event, creatives convene with developers and city officials
*

By Molly Rains

Entrepreneurs, artists, and other “makers” from across Somerville gathered together for a Maker Movement Huddle on Thursday, March 24. The event was hosted by the Boynton Yards development team and the City of Somerville’s Economic Development Division, with Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and representatives from the Somerville Arts Council also in attendance.

The creatives assembled at The Hive, a Boynton Yards property at 561 Windsor Street. The building, which also houses Taza Chocolate, is a stone’s throw from the new Union Square T stop on the Green Line Extension. The developers describe the space at The Hive as “a hub for creative professionals.”

Throughout the evening, many emphasized the importance of the arts to the character and history of Somerville. “Here in Somerville, we like to pride ourselves in being so innovative and creative,” said Mayor Ballantyne. Tom Galligani, the City of Somerville’s Director of Economic Development, echoed her sentiments, emphasizing that “the arts community of Somerville is an essential part of our DNA.”

Creatives and makers of Somerville exchanged ideas at the Maker Movement Huddle hosted by Boynton Yards and the Somerville Economic Development Division on Thursday.

The Maker Movement Huddle offered an opportunity for Somerville’s vast and diverse population of creative professionals to network, support one another, and learn about the resources available within the city government and creative community. “We thought it would be important to get everybody all together, to start talking, to start connecting with each other,” said Galligani in an address to the crowd. “We all need to start talking and working together so that we can figure out how we all get to flourish moving forward.”

Organizers and attendees alike noted the development-related concerns of local creatives and business owners. Discussion touched on rising rent prices in the city, which may make it difficult for artists to remain in the area. Zoning ordinances passed in 2019 represented an attempt by the city to ameliorate these effects by mandating allowances for “arts and creative enterprise” spaces in Somerville buildings. The Hive at Boynton Yards is one such space.

Throughout Somerville, “makers” are going strong. This was evident at the Huddle, where local artists, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, engineers, and more enjoyed the valuable opportunity to exchange ideas across industries. Further huddles have yet to be announced, but local creatives can keep an eye on the City of Somerville’s Events calendar (somervillema.gov/events) for similar events and other opportunities to make local connections.

Cambridge Hackspace, a makerspace on Somerville Ave, displayed sample creations and gadgets at the Maker Movement Huddle.