Why The Makery Exists

Makery was created from a simple belief: creativity is better when it’s shared.

From the beginning, The Makery was imagined as a place where people could create alongside one another; where making art isn’t a solitary activity, but a communal one. It’s a space designed for conversation, collaboration, and connection, where beginners and experienced artists alike can work side by side and learn from each other.

Located in Wake Forest, The Makery serves artists and creatives from across Wake County and neighboring rural areas. While access to studios and professional tools often requires travel to larger cities, our deeper purpose has always been about building community. We wanted to create a welcoming environment where people could gather, make, and feel supported—without needing to fit into a traditional academic or institutional model.

Today, The Makery is the only privately owned, public-facing ceramics and printmaking studio in Wake Forest. We offer classes for all ages and experience levels, and since expanding our classroom space in 2023, we’ve taught over 2,100 students. Nearly a quarter of those students have explored ceramics, one of our most collaborative and community-driven mediums.

What makes The Makery special is how everything works together. Under one roof, you’ll find classrooms, shared studio access, a juried gallery, and an art supply shop. This structure allows people to move beyond one-time classes and into an ongoing creative practice—rooted in shared space, shared tools, and shared experience.

Through partnerships with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Wake Forest Pride, we extend that sense of community beyond our walls. At its core, The Makery exists to bring people together through creativity.