The Workshop
Let Your Imagination Take Form
The Workshop is an outlet for the creative mind to not only create and be artistic, but also learn and challenge themselves through weekly programs for all ages. In the workshop, you can
3D Print
a miniature brain, a dock for your smartphone, or a historically accurate Julius Caesar pen holder.
Sculpt
a cool original design, a sleeping snoopy on a donut keychain, or a little alien in a ship.
Sew
your own shirts and pants, a stocking for Christmas, or a blankey for your newborn child.
Paint
a landscape painting of mountains, a charcoal self portrait, or some fun designs for your pencil bag.
Collective Literary Art Magazine
The Downey City Library is launching its very own Collective Literary Art Magazine, and your work could be featured in its pages!
Want to get involved? We’re hosting 4 monthly workshops this Spring designed to blend creative writing and visual art into a hands-on, inspiring experience. After the workshops, submit your work for a chance to be featured in the Library’s first ever Collective Literary
Art Magazine!
The magazine will house a collection of written and visual work created by those who have attended the workshops being held this Spring. The magazine will cover a wide variety of creative themes and artistic mediums.
Click the button below to learn more and submit your work!
Upcoming Programs
Sign Up
Sign up here for programs that require pre-registration. Registration generally opens 2 weeks prior to the date of the program unless otherwise stated. Check each program’s description for more details.
If an activity shows “No Spots left”, that means the class has filled. Please check back occasionally to see if there are available slots opened due to cancellations.
Services
Getting a 3D Print
Library members can submit requests through our Online 3D Print Form to have an object printed with our Bamboo Lab P1S 3D printers.
All requests made through the Online 3D Print Form must include a link to the .STL file, which can be found on websites like Thingiverse or TinkerCAD. If you would prefer to submit a file directly, fill out the form and email the .STL file directly to The Workshop at workshop@downeyca.org
Once your 3D Print Form is submitted, The Workshop staff will email a confirmation within 1-3 business days with the estimated pick-up window.
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Objects will be printed in the order they are received.
Maximum Print Time: 6 hours
The Workshop staff will adjust scale or infill setting to stay within the 6 hour time limit.
Submitter will be contacted regarding changes.
Objects will be printed in color of filament currently in stock at Downey City Library Workshop.
Objects will automatically be printed with a .25 infill setting.
Downey City Library Workshop staff can remove supports after printing upon request from submitter. Staff will not sand an object post-printing or make other modifications.
The Workshop reserves the right to refuse to print any object at staff’s discretion. Patrons will not be permitted to use the Library’s 3D printer to create weapons or materials that are:
Prohibited by local, state, or federal law
In violation of intellectual property rights
Obscene or otherwise inappropriate
Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or pose a threat to the well-being of others
Likely to fail or print incorrectly or likely to cause damage to the 3D printer
3D printed objects will be held for 30 days from completion of printing. After 30 days, they become property of the Downey City Library.
Users are allowed to submit one object for printing every two weeks
Questions about 3D printing?
Email us @ workshop@downeyca.org
Workshop Open Hours Information
During Open Hour sessions, participants will be able to work on their own independent projects, utilizing select equipment, supplies and/or materials, including drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber arts and certain general use materials.
Open Hours are self-led, meaning participants work independently, at their own pace. Workshop staff will be available to help get set-up, distribute the materials and offer general help and advice, but will not be able to provide large group or individual long form, step-by-step instruction.
Please note that not all materials, supplies and equipment in the Workshop will be accessible during Open Hours sessions. Please see the list below for available resources.
Currently, these sessions are limited to individuals aged 18 and up. Pre-registration is required to attend Open Hour sessions.
Please email workshop@downeyca.org with any questions.
Available Materials:
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Pencils, Ballpoint Pens, Sharpies
Colored pencils
Acrylic paint pens
18” Rulers, Yard Sticks
T-squares
Clipboards
Copy Paper, Cardstock Paper, Construction Paper, Butcher Paper, Tracing Paper
Collage Materials
Cardboard
Aluminum Foil, Parchment Paper, Wax Paper
Scissors
Putty Knives
Glue Sticks, Tacky Glue, Elmer’s brand School Glue, Super Glue
Mod Podge
Scotch Tape, Masking Tape, Duct Tape, Packing Tape, Double-sided Tape
Rubber Bands
Popsicle Sticks
Gloves (assorted), Surgical masks, Safety Glasses
Alcohol Wipes, Shop Towels
Q-tips
Sponges
Plastic Trays
Faux Cake Jewelry Boxes
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Watercolor Paper
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint (assorted colors)
Prang Watercolor Sets
Winsor & Newton Designer’s Gouache (assorted colors)
Watercolor Pencils (assorted colors)
Water Soluble Oil Pastels (assorted colors)
Acrylic Paint (assorted colors)
Paintbrushes: Flat (1”, ¾”, ½”, ¼”), Round (0, 2, 4, 6, 8)
Palette Knives
Paper Cups
Paper Palette Pads
Plastic Palettes
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Drawing Paper
Vine Charcoal Sticks
Compressed Charcoal Sticks
Charcoal Pencils
White Charcoal Pencils
Blending Stumps
Kneaded Erasers, Plastic Erasers
Chamois Cloth
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Printmaking Paper
Linoleum Cutters
Brayers
Barens
Bench Hooks
Battleship Gray Linoleum
Speedy Carve Blocks
Linocut Ink (assorted colors)
Linocut Press
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Fabric (assorted)
Fabric Scissors
Yarn (assorted)
Ribbon (assorted)
Sewing Thread (assorted)
Embroidery Thread (assorted)
Craft Cord (assorted)
Quilt Batting
Sewing Needles, Embroidery Needles
Crochet Hooks
Pins
Embroidery Hoops
Cross Stitch Fabric
Sewing Marking Pens
Acrylic Fabric Medium
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1” Button Press
1” Circle Cutter
1” Button Pieces
2 ¼” Button Press
2 ¼” Circle Cutter
2 ¼” Button Pieces
Please Note:
Not all materials, equipment and supplies in the Workshop will be available to use. The list above indicates the items that will be available during Open Hour sessions, however per person availability may be limited.
Workshop and Library staff have the right to deny participants any materials, equipment and/or supplies (even those listed as being available) at their discretion.
Participants may bring in their own personal materials to use, but Workshop and Library staff have the right to deny entry and/or use of any personal items at their discretion.
Participants must respect Workshop & Library staff, other Library patrons, materials, equipment and supplies provided by Workshop & Library staff, along with any personal materials brought by other participants.
FAQs
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The Workshop is a makerspace that provides kids, teens and adults access to tools to create, repair or tinker. We focus on engagement and informal education related to STEAM (Science, technology, Engineering, Art and Math) These are all critical skills and fields that are introduced to people here in a relaxed, creative, out-of-classroom setting.
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Currently, we offer STEAM focused activities and workshops for teens in various skills. In the near future, we plan to provide access to various tools and equipment for general use, such as our 3D printers, a resin printer, laser cutter, button makers, general hand tools, sewing machines etc.
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Children are absolutely welcome to visit and participate in age appropriate Workshop activities, which we currently offer twice per week. Some of our activities and classes are more geared towards teens and adults, but those are generally announced ahead of time. If you have any questions about those specific activities, please email the Workshop at workshop@downeyca.org.
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If children are over the age of 13, they are free to participate in activities alone. Children 12 years and younger cannot be left unsupervised without a parent or guardian in the building.
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This page has a submission form which you fill out, copy and paste a URL to the requested STL file, or you can fill out and send to our library email as an downloadable attachment. Due to their complexity and for safety reasons, currently only trained Workshop staff can operate the printers. The form has more information about where to find 3D printable files. You can also email us at workshop@downeyca.org with any questions you have.
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Our PLA 3D printing service is 100% free. Future services currently under development may require a small materials fee. That information will be clearly posted ahead of time. Weekly walk-in activities are free; no sign ups required. Activities will run as long as supplies are available! Some programs do require pre-registration, but those will be announced ahead of time on our social media and website calendar. If you are interested in any of these activities, please check the official program calendar of the Library, email or visit in-person and ask us for more information.
Made in The Workshop
