Creating Connections at the STEW Makerspace
From Grinnell College students to local artists and neighbors, downtown makerspace brings people together through creativity, collaboration, and shared experiences.
Walk past the large storefront windows at 927 Broad Street in downtown Grinnell, and you'll find more than a place to make art. Inside the STEW Makerspace, Grinnell College students and community members work side by side, learning new skills, sharing ideas, and discovering connections that extend beyond the projects they create.
Whether it's a student learning to use a woodworking tool, neighbors gathering for a painting class, or someone picking up knitting needles for the first time, the STEW offers something for everyone.
Operated by the Grinnell Area Arts Council (GAAC) in partnership with Grinnell College's Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership, the STEW has grown into a creative hub where people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences come together.
With more than 8,000 square feet of studios and creative workspaces, the STEW offers opportunities to explore ceramics, woodworking, fiber arts, sewing, 3D printing, and more. Recent additions, including a dedicated classroom and expanded retail space, are creating even more ways for the community to get involved.
A Space for Everyone
For Monica St. Angelo, executive director of the Grinnell Area Arts Council, the STEW represents something important for the Grinnell community: a welcoming place where creativity brings people together.
"Spaces like this are essential because every vibrant community needs strong 'third spaces.' The Stew provides a place beyond home and work where people can gather, experiment, and connect through making art."
Helping make that possible is STEW program manager Craig Gibbens ’95, a Grinnell College alumnus who oversees the day-to-day operations of the makerspace. Working alongside Grinnell College student employees, Gibbens helps create a welcoming environment where visitors can learn new skills, explore their creativity, and connect with others.
"The STEW stands out for two main reasons: the incredible variety of resources—from ceramics and woodworking to fiber arts—and the way it’s staffed," St. Angelo said. "In many makerspaces, you’re left on your own or expected to be an expert. At the STEW, our Grinnell College student staff are on hand to mentor walk-ins on the spot, turning what could be an intimidating space into an immediate opportunity for learning and connection."
A Partnership that Creates Possibilities
The partnership between Grinnell College and the Grinnell Area Arts Council helps make these opportunities accessible to students and the broader community.
Through the Wilson Center, all Grinnell College students receive full memberships to the STEW, allowing them to use its studios and participate in programming during open hours. Some equipment requires additional training and safety certification, while workshops and classes offer opportunities for students to explore new interests. The Wilson Center also provides workshop discounts and reimbursement opportunities for students.
The College supports student employment at the STEW, giving students opportunities to develop leadership skills while working directly with community members.
Jeff Blanchard, professor of mathematics and director of the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership, sees the partnership as an important way to bring learning beyond the classroom.
"Creativity and building are essential skills in all human endeavors, and the Makerspace gives students an incredible place to experiment and build without academic pressures."
Just as important as the hands-on experience are the relationships that develop along the way.
"The GAAC - Wilson Center collaboration is among the most substantial programs for connecting students with the community and the community with students," Blanchard said. "In fact, the sense of belonging and place created by all the patrons of the Makerspace is formidable."
Those connections happen every day, often through simple exchanges of knowledge and experience.
After retiring from the Grinnell Post Office, community member Rick Kelling began sharing his woodworking expertise at the STEW, training several generations of Grinnell College student monitors to use the wood lathe. In return, students like Colby Hagen, who worked full-time at the STEW during summer 2026, have helped community members learn new technologies, including 3D printing.
"Students and residents are often working side by side at the STEW, sharing tips and appreciating each other’s work," said Gibbens.
Learning Together, Creating Connections
For local artist and educator Rachel Roen, the connections formed during STEW classes are just as meaningful as the artwork participants take home.
Roen teaches acrylic painting classes every two weeks, welcoming adults of all skill levels. While participants may begin with the same painting, each person brings a different perspective and creative approach.
"In each of my classes I have had students help each other by providing advice, offering compliments, and sharing stories of past artmaking blunders and successes," Roen said. "By providing a space for all ages to collaborate, we allow new perspectives to enter our minds and unlikely connections are formed."
She's also witnessed how trying something new can turn into a lasting passion.
One regular participant attended a painting class simply looking for something fun to do with friends. Despite having little previous experience, she discovered a love for painting and has since continued developing her skills and exploring creative projects on her own.
"I have loved watching community members ignite or reignite their passions or interests in the arts through the STEW," Roen said.
That spirit of discovery is familiar to Gina Donovan ’04, learning management system administrator and instructional technologist at Grinnell College. She teaches knitting and other fiber arts skills through the Grinnell Area Arts Council.
"It is always my hope with my classes that people learn or relearn the joy of trying something new," Donovan said. "It can be really difficult to step outside of a comfort zone and take the risk of learning something new, but it can also be really fun."
Her classes welcome everyone from complete beginners to those rediscovering skills they haven't practiced in decades.
"I really appreciate the opportunity to connect with people from all over Grinnell and the surrounding area with my classes," Donovan said.
Growing Opportunities for the Community
As interest in the STEW continues to grow, new spaces and programming are creating additional opportunities for community participation.
A new dedicated classroom provides room for focused instruction, along with creative gatherings for local organizations, businesses, and families.
The expanded retail space also gives local makers an opportunity to showcase and sell their work, allowing visitors to take home something created right here in Grinnell.
"Our new retail space has been a great addition! It gives STEW makers a platform to show off and sell what they create, with all proceeds reinvested back into keeping the STEW open and accessible," St. Angelo said.
Community partnerships help keep those opportunities affordable. Along with support from Grinnell College, contributions from local sponsors and GAAC donors help provide free memberships for local youth and keep participation costs low.
The growing number of local artists and educators teaching classes has also expanded the ways residents can learn from one another.
For St. Angelo, that continued growth reflects the STEW's role in strengthening the community.
"By supporting local creatives and enriching our town's culture, the STEW plays an active role in making Grinnell an appealing, dynamic place to call home."
Find Your Place at the STEW
Gibben’s shared, "When I was a Grinnell College student in the 90’s we almost never left campus. Now I routinely see dozens of students downtown on any given day, and the STEW is one of the reasons why. I’m incredibly proud that the STEW has become such a vital part of downtown Grinnell and student culture."
Today, the STEW is more than a place to make something. Whether you're a lifelong artist, a curious beginner, a Grinnell College student, or someone simply looking to meet new people, the STEW offers an opportunity to discover something new.
And while visitors may arrive with a project in mind, they often leave with more than something they've made — a new skill, a fresh perspective, or a connection with someone they might not otherwise have met.
Visit the STEW Makerspace at 927 Broad Street in downtown Grinnell. Learn more about memberships, classes, and creative opportunities at grinnellarts.org, or explore the STEW calendar for upcoming activities.