Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Minihan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Our innovative school and community studio was founded in 1998, and since then has provided jewelry making instruction on topics ranging from introductory to professional level courses, in a well-equipped and supportive environment. Weekly classes run during the school year every morning, afternoon, and evening. We also offer specialty workshops on the weekends and during the summer with established artist instructors who hail from across the country.
Since its inception, Metalwerx has gradually grown into a dynamic entity operating at full capacity. The road to get where we are today involved many facets. It all began with two MassArt Alumni, Karen Christians and Jeff Bowie, who came together to create a space where education and community would be united under one roof. This concept is still the driving force behind our mission; to be a forward-thinking organization dedicated to supporting jewelry and the metal arts through educational programming that fosters artistic and technical development while encouraging community growth and arts appreciation.
Metalwerx started out in a humble 450 sq. ft. store front in Woburn. In just a year, the classroom was bursting at the seams. Co-founders, Karen and Jeff, decided to upgrade to a space triple the size right across the street. They invited nine friends to join them, each with a personal bench and storage — Our “Studiomates” community was born.
In just a few short years, Metalwerx moved again – this time to a recently renovated space in Waltham, where we still live today. I remember meeting Karen and taking a tour of the new studio while I was still attending Mass College of Art. Not too long after graduating, I began working here as Program Coordinator. It was like a dream come true. This was in 2006, shortly after we became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. One year later, Karen “passed the torch” to and gave me the opportunity to lead Metalwerx into the future as its Executive Director.
Along with Karen and Jeff, I share a strong passion for working with metals and a dedication to community development. Over the past decade, we’ve continued to focus on steady growth; adding classes, workshops, events, scholarships, and new programming to better serve supporters, local friends, and the regional arts community.
Our annual curriculum features more than 75 weekend workshops, 10 week-long master classes, and 45 semester-long weekly classes. Courses continue to cater to students at every skill level, covering as many metals and jewelry techniques possible. Investments in cutting edge tooling and equipment have kept up with growth.
The Studiomates community has expanded from nine to 28 full- and part-time members who are an active group of passionate jewelers. They help out in classes as teacher’s assistants, participate in Waltham Open Studios, volunteer at our events, and create AMAZING jewelry. I’m inspired on a daily basis.
This year, we launched our Friends of Metalwerx Scholarship program to be able to offer more financial aid throughout the year. We went from about one scholarship opportunity per year to giving four scholarships in the past six months!
Metalwerx also hosts an annual Marketplace symposium that showcases materials, tools, and service vendors from all over the country who consult with attendees to determine the best investment for their professional development. It also provides opportunities to engage with experts in the jewelry field through educational seminars and interactive tours. Our staff and students also participate in national, regional, and local events to connect with the public. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with other organizations to expand our reach and impact.
It’s an honor to serve the Metalwerx community as its Executive Director but I have never felt like I’ve walked this path alone. Everyone in our community contributes to Metalwerx’s success. None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of staff, board members, faculty, studiomates, volunteers, and especially students. I feel lucky to be part of a community that so generously shares their passion and knowledge. Each day leaves me more inspired, grateful, and motivated to continue growing together.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Growth is wonderful, but also brings new challenges to the forefront. Our studio is bursting at the seams and I often joke that we use equipment as chairs. That’s not true, of course, but I regularly store donations, supplies for events, and other equipment in my office. Every craftsperson is thrilled to expand tooling to open up new possibilities in their work, but we’re running out of room to store it.
The studiomates area is at capacity with members, equipment, and space. We also can’t offer more courses in our current classroom unless there are more days in a week. I haven’t figured out how to make that happen, so we are considering various ways to expand.
Having reached capacity in our current business model both physically and operationally, we are now addressing the next phase of strategic growth. We want to diversify revenue and better serve our constituents. Funding is our obstacle. As our curriculum, studiomates, and staff have grown, we have incurred new expenses too. We’re applying for grants to help pay for strategic planning support, and are eagerly waiting to hear back. Wish us luck!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are known for our amazing curriculum and warm, inviting atmosphere. Students of all ages feel comfortable studying together and not intimidated by our world-renown artist instructors. That’s because of the positive, cheerful environment people encounter when they come through our door.
Our staff is approachable, honest, and knowledgeable. We request and listen to feedback — it’s how we’ve developed such a great reputation with students and teachers. I’m very proud of how we work with students to help them find the best class or resource. We’d rather have someone take the class that is the right fit than to see short term revenue gains. We are about building relationships, which is why people come back year after year (from all over!) for classes and events.
Angela, a student who recently became a Metalwerx devotee, just wrote me this in an email: “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have discovered Metalwerx almost a year ago! It’s life changing! I have made lifelong friends through you guys and will be forever grateful. I’ve signed up for J2 with Will again just so I can keep working on my technique and look forward to the open studios in the fall. Hope you got to have some chocolate cream pie we left in the fridge last night.” For the record, the pie was phenomenal and much appreciated!
What were you like growing up?
Besides travelling and spending a year abroad, I’ve lived in Massachusetts my entire life. I even married my high school sweetheart and we had our first child last year. I love New England. My experiences here have led me to be surrounded by intelligent, loyal people who have deep relationships with friends and family. We always go out of our way to help each other. There’s an amazing network of artists and arts advocates in this region. I’m also still very close with my high school and college friends. These connections consistently lead to new opportunities. Growing up, I didn’t know I’d become such a townie as an adult.
I’ve always been a creative person and love making anything and everything with my hands. Being an only child, it helps when you can find ways to keep busy on your own. I’ve also been interested in math for as long as I can remember. When it came time to choose a career, I thought I’d never get another chance to intensely study art for four years. We are lucky to live in a state with a publicly funded art university. My time a Mass Art was incredibly rewarding and inspirational. I still keep in touch with my professors and regularly offer their students scholarship and work opportunities.
Years later, it’s amazing that I’ve ended up combining my passion for art with my interest in math and business. I’ve never stopped learning in this position at Metalwerx. Whether it’s a new jewelry making technique from a visiting artist or watching YouTube videos to learn how to make pivot tables in Excel (yes, really), I find both sides of my brain being challenged on a daily basis. I don’t think I could’ve hoped for a more rewarding career.
Pricing:
- Workshops range from $75 – $150 for an introductory one-day class and go up to $900 for a 5-day workshop during our Summer with the Masters program. Tuition is based on the length of the workshop, which can be 1 – 5 days long.
- Weekly classes average $450 – $500 for a 9 or 10 week course.
- Studiomates pay $125 – $295/month to rent space in our bench community.
Contact Info:
- Address: Metalwerx
50 Guinan Street
Waltham, MA 02451 - Website: www.metalwerx.com
- Phone: 781-891-3854
- Email: info@metalwerx.com
- Instagram: @metalwerxstudio
- Facebook: facebook.com/MetalwerxJewelrySchool
- Twitter: twitter.com/metalwerxstudio
- Yelp: yelp.com/biz/metalwerx-waltham
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
