Brown Street Maker Cooperative
The Brown Street Maker Cooperative is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing its members with the space, materials, and tools to build a wide variety of crafts and to engage in sustainability projects.
The Co-op is a member-based organization where individuals actively support one another in various projects and in acquiring knowledge. The Co-op engages with the broader community through classes, workshops, and other events that are developed and led by Co-op members.
The Co-op is self-sustaining through donations and grants and does not charge a membership fee. To help support a no-cost membership model, all Co-op members are required to regularly volunteer their time in a variety of roles. Members can opt to make suggested donations to help cover the cost of class materials.
A wide variety of crafting equipment and materials is available at the Co-op including:
- Laser Cutters and 3D printers
- Sewing Machines
- Kiln
- Art stations
- Laptops for computer aided design and programming
- And more to come as new classes are added
The Co-op has classes, open studio sessions, and other offerings available for members. Classes will grow to reflect the skills of members and the needs and interests of the community. Some classes may also be available to non-members.
When the Co-op opened in 2026, we started with an initial set of class offerings as described below. We will continue to refine the program based on feedback from the community and members.
We are also actively seeking instructors so if you are interested in volunteering to develop or lead classes or host open studios, please reach out.
- Laser cutting and engraving
- Hand-building pottery
- Drawing, painting and printmaking
- Jewelry making
- 3D printing
- Fix-it clinics
The Co-op is staffed by members and hours of operation will depend on member availability. As membership grows our goal will be to keep the doors open seven days a week.
If there is sufficient volunteer staffing, the building will be open to members for general use in their personal projects with the exception of time periods when classes, workshops and other events are being offered.
The former Brown Street Market at the corner of Brown Street and Newton Street was constructed in 1921. The building required an extensive interior renovation. No major exterior changes were undertaken during the renovation, except for the conversion of the window on Newton Street into an entryway to improve accessibility. We began renovations last fall and are excited to welcome members into the space for our first events in summer 2026.
Visit Us
3320 Brown St NW, Washington DC 20010
Send Mail To
1763 Columbia Road NW, Washington DC 20009
If you are interested to learn more, contact us at:
info@brownstreetmakercoop.org