 Written by Savannah Hicks, SHARE Greater Lynchburg Communications Intern
Vector Space has forged a new collaboration with Big Brother Big Sisters for the BYO—Build Your Own program. BYO engages high school students and mentors from BWX Technologies, meeting twice per week thoughout the summer, to create something from scratch. The challenge is to create something that encourages the community. The end result will be a 12-foot tall Adirondack chair to invite the entire Lynchburg community to come, sit, snap a picture, and feel at home.
“I want this structure to represent more than just a comical chair—I want it to be an attraction that reflects pride in Lynchburg.” —Elise Spontarelli, Vector Space Executive Director
With invaluable input from mentors and woodworking instructors, students are working to turn a simple concept into a beautiful beacon that celebrates the impact of young hands molding a stronger, more connected Lynchburg. Dre, a rising senior at E.C. Glass, says, “This program is perfect for kids who feel lost. I feel like I’ve learned so many truly important skills.” His statement is proof that when we invest in youth, we’re not just building structures—we’re building determination, tenacity, and courage to keep learning.
Three weeks into the project, the chair is still a work in progress. Each cut, dimension, and drawing is full of energy and possibility. It becomes a place of learning, and the realized potential of time together. There is an authenticity in the making-- in the showing up and learning and making something together that will soon speak for itself. After reflective conve rsation regarding the chair’s size, blueprint, and general power, the group went on two field trips to support inspiring their plans. Their first stop was at the nonprofit Roads to Recovery, where they contemplated community and strength firsthand. Next, they visited the Aviary at Miller Park, a cherished local place known for its scenic beauty and as a popular wedding location. These trips provided the young builders with a clarified view of how their project could fit into our community and contribute to Lynchburg’s heart.
While the final placement of the structure is still being deliberated, one student shared what genuinely matters most: “For as many Lynchburg citizens as possible to have a seat at the table.” This sincere goal perfectly reflects the mission behind the program collaborators. While hosted at Vector Space, this program has support from throughout the community, includuing partners at Big Brothers Big Sisters, LAYSi, and financial supporters BWX Technologies and Mustaches4Kids Lynchburg. Together these partners are invested forging long-lasting connections, empowering youth, and building spaces where everyone belongs. That is, after all, the Lynchburg way.
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This past weekend, our community came together for another incredible MEGA Meetup—an event that brought learning, making, and connection through hands-on projects led by our talented shop captains. Whether attendees were seasoned members or first-time makers, the June MEGA Meetup served as a vibrant reminder of what happens when curiosity meets community. These one-day learning extravaganzas happen just three times a year, and anticipation is always high. The sign-up sheet fills up quickly, with members eager to dive into new skills and connect with others who share their passion for making. Once members were on site yesterday they jumped into everything from machining gears to laser-etching painted surfaces, mud slinging on the pottery wheel to ink printing on a 1918 letterpress. Participants also explored woodworking, electronics, CNC routing, and 3D printing, enabling them to sample the wide range of tools and expertise our space has to offer. The day was full of energy for leanring and sharing!
MEGA Meetups are designed with a focus on fun, building comfort, confidence, and connection amoungst members within the space. Each event is structured like a mini maker conference, made up entirely of short, hands-on breakout sessions led by shop captains. Participants rotate through four different 45-minute activities which are focused on dirrerent skills and different shop areas at each of these tri annual events. This June, we offered 73 individual activity slots and welcomed about 20-25 members for an afternoon of fast-paced, highly participatory learning. The MEGA Meetup continues to be one of our most beloved programs—not just for the variety of experiences it offers, but for the spirit of exploration, mentorship, and community it fosters every time.
A gigantic thank you—as always—is owed to our amazing shop captains, whose volunteer commitment makes this event, and so many other great days in the shop possible.
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Makers of the Month: Reese & Allison!
Though they’re still new to the makerspace, Reese & Allison have made an exciting entrance — bringing a powerful mix of enthusiasm, creativity, and full-on maker energy from day one. We’re absolutely thrilled they joined our community and jumped right into the action — from taking classes and completing projects to volunteering, showing up for Tuesday Night Stitch-Ups, and even showcasing some show-and-tells at the Member Cookout! Whether they’re stitching, building, lasering, or just bringing good vibes and contagious creativity, they’ve quickly become an essential part of our community.
But what does it mean to be Maker of the Month?
Being named Maker (or Makers) of the Month is more than just a shoutout — it’s a way to recognize individuals who embody the spirit of makerism: a blend of creativity, curiosity, commitment, and community. A true maker is someone who:
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Is community-oriented and always ready to collaborate
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Is dedicated to self-education and passionate about helping others learn
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Creates regularly and embraces the challenges (and triumphs) that come with the process
Reese & Allison check every one of these boxes — and then some.
Memberships like theirs are vital to the advancement of our mission: to build an open, collaborative community that fosters innovation, creativity, and the pursuit of science-based knowledge.
Thank you Reese & Allison — and welcome to the flock!
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We’re thrilled to announce that three young makers have officially earned their Junior Maker badge and proudly taken the Maker Pledge! These youth have shown incredible dedication by attending Vector Space educational events like First Friday and Maker Faire Lynchburg. At each event, they participated in hands-on activities designed to ignite creativity, problem-solving, and a love for making. To earn the Junior Maker badge, participants must complete five different event activities within a single calendar year. Once completed, they notify Vector Space staff and are invited to take the Junior Maker Pledge:
As a Junior Maker, I, ______________, understand the value of making and tinkering. I know that the world around me is mine to mold and change, and I will continue to learn skills that I can use to make the world a better place. Making helps people and the planet, and I can use my skills to help others and myself. I will continue to learn and teach others how to make.
Each graduate receives a commemorative wooden badge and a certificate of achievement—a symbol of their hard work and creativity. A new badge design will be unveiled each year, encouraging ongoing participation and skill-building.
We extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation for supporting this meaningful youth program.
Want to get involved? Check out our updated list of Events at vector-space.org/events and start your child's journey toward becoming a Junior Maker today!
Let’s keep making the world a better place—one project at a time.
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Congratulations to Jon Formo, our April Maker of the Month!
At Vector Space, our makers are the heart of everything we do—and this month, we're thrilled to spotlight someone whose creativity, dedication, and technical skill continue to elevate our community.
Jon has a deep passion for making, and it show, especially through the incredible artwork he creates with the fiber laser. He’s always pushing artistic boundaries, and his projects are a constant source of inspiration around the shop. Whether it’s precision-cut designs or experimental textures, Jon’s work brings out the artistic potential of tools in ways we hadn't imagined.
Beyond his creative work, Jon has been a driving force in making our space better for everyone. As a Shop Captain, he played a key role in the rebuild of our beloved laser cutter—replacing the X-carriage and fabricating a flatter, more rigid bed for improved performance. Jon also stepped up as a leader during a recent volunteer day, helping coordinate a successful shop improvement effort. Thanks to his guidance and hands-on support, we accomplished big upgrades that benefit our whole community.
We’re so grateful for Jon’s leadership, generosity, and ever strong maker spirit. Thank you, Jon, for everything you bring to Vector Space!
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 In the United States, the number of women in manufacturing is extremely low, with the number of women employed as artisans or machine operators between 1-4%. Here in Lynchburg, we are working to change that statistic. In partnership with the City of Lynchburg Office of Economic Development and Toursism and Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, Vector Space has launched the newest iteration of our Women in Machining program. This six week program for women to learn the fundamentals of manual machining began in April. Halfway through their training, students have been meeting with a technical instructor two nights per week. They also attend soft-skills sessions and industry visits one night per week, to increase the likelihood of success after completion of the program.
These five women, Tiffany Goode, Teetee Vaughan, Natica Crawford, Leah Johnson, and Jules Brown, are gaining a foundational understanding of machining principles through this program. Offered at no cost thanks to the Office of Economic Development & Tourism, these students can continue their machinist education at Central Virginia Community College, with potential to work at a company like BWX Technologies later in their career. Both CVCC and BWXT are partners in the program, providing tours and mentorship to the students.
Stay tuned to see what these women take on next!
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In April 2025 Vector Space installed two permanent, public chess tables in Downtown Lynchburg. The intent of this project is to further activate this space in a way that appeals to a broad age range, engages the mind, and has a proven record of success in many other communities. The tables were designed and built at Vector Space by Adam Spontarelli. Located in the patio area next to The Depot Grille, each table features a strudy steel base, plasma cut and welded to represent chess pieces. The tables are contrasting wood species, cut on the CNC router and finished with a protective layer of epoxy for durability. Funding for this project was provided by the City of Lynchburg's Arts & Culture District Grant, and they were installed in partnership with the Downtown Lynchburg Association.
Ready to play?
Members of the community are invited to bring their own chess pieces, or borrow a set from downtown businesses. The Water Dog, Depot Grille, and the Downtown Branch of the Lynchburg Public Library each have a set of chess pieces available to borrow. You will need to leave your ID in exchange for the set, to be returned when the chess pieces are returned.
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