New Makers Guild opens to provide opportunities for artists, and to celebrate talent

Five Mile Square, a new storefront operated by the Point Roberts Makers Guild, will hold a soft opening July 4 and 5 at 1385 Gulf Road.
The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and plans to continue operating on Saturdays throughout summer, with additional days added as staffing allows. The space will feature artwork, prints, cards, postcards, textiles and other products created by Point Roberts artists and makers.
The Point Roberts Makers Guild is organized as a nonprofit cooperative focused on supporting local artists, craftspeople and small creative businesses. In addition to retail space, the storefront includes a community room for workshops, classes and events.
Guild organizers recently received an anonymous local donation to fund a series of free arts workshops this summer and fall. Planned offerings include jewelry making, poetry, lithoprinting and writing workshops led by local artists and writers, along with a youth art program. 

The workshops are expected to culminate in an art show and open house showcasing participants’ work.
“The story of economic decline here is a really strong one, but really different from my experience,” founder Rhys-Thorvald Hansen said. “I really saw so much potential.”
Hansen said the project grew from a desire to create another venue for local artists while helping to strengthen Point Roberts’ cultural economy.
“What if we built a different type of story for here?” Hansen said. “We made a place to celebrate the talent that is here.”
The guild is seeking additional members and artists. Children and teens are welcome to sell their work through the cooperative without a monthly membership fee, with the guild taking only a small commission on sales.
The organization is also accepting applications for monthly rotating art exhibits in the community room. Information about memberships, exhibits and hours can be found at pointrobertsmakersguild.org.