Staff
(she/her)
Executive Director
Dr. Amber Epps brings twenty years of experience teaching at the college level. Outside of academia, Dr. Epps worked in community development, focusing on commercial district revitalization, workforce development, and youth education and employment. She is also a maker, artist, musician, mom, member of the #NotWhite Collective, and co-owner of Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop.
(he/him)
Education Manager
Sidney Church is an interdisciplinary artist
vacillating between tinkerer, time-machine owner, and multi-material technician. He has over 7 years of teaching experience and working with a diverse student base, ranging from the collegiate level to the general community, which includes grandmas. His personal work and interests incorporate techniques from
sculpture, physical computing, and digital fabrication in order to create multifaceted work that teeters between DIY culture and spacecraft engineering
(they/she)
Director of Community Engagement
Remy is a designer, project manager, and Pokemon Trainer. They have led gallery management and art installation teams at the August Wilson Center and event planning and operations for the Three Rivers Arts Festival with Flyspace Productions.
Instructors
Design & Wood Turning
Adam Nelson is the founder of Daggerfish Gear. He designs high quality handcrafted outdoor recreational products.
Fabrication & Woodworking
Cord Merrell is a multi-disciplinary maker with years of experience. He’s eager to share the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Blacksmithing & Metal
Karen Kocher is part blacksmith, part fabricator, and full-time artist. She makes warm, joyful pieces using a mix of traditional and makeshift tools.
3D Printing & Design
Lauren Karran is a general tinkerer. She brings a broad range of making experience and works with a variety of material.
Lasers & Graphics
Lizzee Solomon is a Pittsburgh-based artist. She makes vibrant, accessible, comic-inspired art in a variety of media.
CNC Embroidery & Design
Nathan Brooks is the founder of Rebel Bred Clothing. He creates locally crafted streetwear enlaced with spirituality, culture and history.
Graphic Design & Print
Roderick Ramsey is the Founder of Ocular Arcade. He makes vibrant, powerful art inspired by history and current events from a global lens.
Woodworking & Design
Sarah Nielsen is a Pittsburgh-based artist and co-founder of Tree Overboard. She makes warm, eclectic, works in wood from her shop in Lawrenceville.
Textiles & Lasers
Valerie Hildenbrand is the founder of Grove Avenue Design. She makes intricate art that combines traditional techniques with new technology.
Board of Directors
Chairperson
Kathryn is a project manager and educator. She is the North America Product Training Lead for Panopto. She has a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University.
Vice-Chairperson
Angelica is a building science expert and sustainability advocate. She is the Director of Sustainability at Advantus Engineers. She has a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Treasurer
Josh is an urban planning expert and self-described urban nerd. He is a Planner at the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Management & Budget, Community Development Division. He has a BS in Urban and Regional Planning from Cornell University.
Secretary
Ben is a product designer, teacher, and business consultant. He is the founder of KerfCase LLC, a design and manufacturing studio dedicated to precision, fine craftsmanship, and natural materials. He has a Bachelor in Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University.
Director
Adam is a nonprofit development expert and glassmaker. He is the Director of the Craft Business Accelerator at Bridgeway Capital and previously served as the Executive Director of Touchstone Center for Crafts. He has a Master of Art Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Director
Leigh is an entrepreneur, educator, and steelpan drum evangelist. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Barrels to Beethoven and the Director of Opportunity at New Sun Rising. She studied Urban Studies and Communications at the University of Pittsburgh.