Sydney PayneCollin Allen is a father of three, a full-time student and a creator of whatever he puts his mind to. He has been making art, jewelry, furniture and paintings for himself and others for over 26 years, and GoCreate, a Koch Collaborative, at Wichita State University is giving him access to tools to do even more.
Collin, a fine arts major and recipient of GoCreate membership assistance, was introduced to the maker-space by Robert Bubp, professor of the foundations program in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries.
“He took me over to GoCreate and showed me everything the place had to offer,” says Collin. “Within an hour after we finished the tour, he had sent me a link to the membership assistance page. I filled it out and explained what art I make, and sent the application in the same day.”
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The program, made possible by Koch Industries and the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation, allows Collin to use the makerspace for six months, and also includes the various safety classes required to run the machinery.
“My membership assistance does end at the end of September, but I will continue with a standard membership because of all that can be done in the facility and all the great people that work there,” says Collin.
Collin has been working in GoCreate since the makerspace opened this past April. It took him close to a month to get through the necessary safety classes. He is now cleared to work in all areas of GoCreate, such as textiles, design, woods, welding and metals, and uses every machine available to him for various projects.
Collin previously worked in construction, where he learned how to work with wood and other materials.
“All the jobs I’ve had are things that give me a skill. I haven’t always been in school for art, but I’ve been studying it my whole life,” says Collin.
Although Collin is in school full time, raising kids and marketing his own art business, Allenworks Art, he still comes to GoCreate three to four days a week to work on his projects. Every piece he makes is unique.
“There’s a great resurgence in people hand-making things,” says Collin. “Anyone can make this kind of stuff. They just have to put in the effort.”
After graduating from WSU in the fall of 2018, Collin’s ultimate goal is to be an art professor. In the meantime, he showcases his art on Instagram at @allenworks and on Facebook at @allenworksart.
He will also be a featured artist at GoCreate on Final Friday Sept. 29 from 5-8 p.m. at GoCreate, 4000 E. 17th St. N. During this time the space will be open to the public and work from various members will be available for purchase.