A new space aiming to spark the continued growth of Rochester as a hot spot for creative, maker minded innovation recently opened its doors in the High Falls neighborhood.
Made on State hosted its first open house Saturday afternoon at 510 State Street.
Larry Moss, creative director of the balloon installation studio Airigami, said a bigger space and better visuals attracted them to the area.
"Just the view out our back window alone is amazing. It’s an area that used to be really booming in Kodak’s heyday and should be again. And from what we're seeing we expect it to be."
As one of the first members to move into the building, Moss hopes to see it grow into a collaborative learning space for not only the artists who work there, but for the community as well.
"It’s an open event space that you can make things and be messy. You’re not going to rent a hotel ballroom to be messy. So we see public events that will draw people in to try things and make things."
Bill Klingensmith works down the hall from Moss. He runs My Darndest Design, a graphic design and typographic concept studio. He said that working with and being surrounded by passionate artists of different disciplines attracted him to move in.
"We're doing business, we want to be respected as business people because we're running legitimate businesses overall. And I think this kind of thing would be awesome to not only pop up in this neighborhood, but other locations around the city."
With its high ceilings and industrial layout, Made on State is great for artists whose work demands more space.
Jesse Hughson is the owner of the SkillHoarder Workshop where he makes what he describes as “crazy circus equipment.” Specifically, he makes Cyr Wheels, which are giant rings made of aluminum or steel that performers stand inside of while performing acrobatic moves in and around the rotating wheel.
Hughson said the State Street location is an upgrade for him, his last studio was in a basement.
"My social skills were degrading. Now I’m also getting to learn from a lot of really great artists and artisans that I’ve known through the years but haven’t really had a lot of time to interact with."
Made on State currently holds 12 studios, and plans to host another open house in February.