Upcoming Events
Check Currents publication (PDF) or the Calendar of Events site for more events.
Bake Together Kids: Bugs and Blooms Marshmallow Fondant Cookie Decorating
Saturday, June 20, 2026 - 2:00pm - 4:00pmAges: 8 - 12
Class registration and more information
Add some sweetness to your summer afternoon! In this hands-on Bake Together workshop, you’ll learn how to make soft, delicious marshmallow fondant from scratch and then learn some fun techniques to use it to decorate prebaked sugar cookies into fun bugs, butterflies, and blooms. No piping required!
This is a pairs cooking class. It is intended for one child that is 8-12 years old and one adult per pair.
Hybrid Embroidery Machine Certification
Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:00am - 12:00pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
This program is the final step in our Embroidery Machine Certification process. During this session, participants will demonstrate the skills needed for independent use of the embroidery machine.
Before registering, you must complete the online Embroidery Machine Use Training. Participants who have not completed this training will have their registration cancelled.
If this session is full or does not fit your schedule, participants who have completed the required training may request a certification appointment through the form on our equipment training page.
Intro to Adobe Illustrator
Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:00pm - 2:00pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Learn the basic features of Adobe Illustrator. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and explore the program through hands-on instruction. No experience is required.
Bake Together Teens: Bugs and Blooms Marshmallow Fondant Cookie Decorating
Monday, June 22, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:00pmAges: 13 - 17
Class registration and more information
This is a pairs cooking class. It is intended for one teen ages 13-17 and one adult per pair. The teen is the registrant.
Add some sweetness to your summer afternoon! In this hands-on Bake Together workshop, you’ll learn how to make soft, delicious marshmallow fondant from scratch and then learn some fun techniques to use it to decorate prebaked sugar cookies into fun bugs, butterflies, and blooms. No piping required!
Making for Good: Cricut Cards for Our Troops
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00pm - 3:30pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Join us in this Making for Good class as we create appreciation cards to send to service members overseas. No prior experience using Cricut machines is required.
Kids Bake: Mini Fruit Tarts
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:00pmAges: 10 - 17
Class registration and more information
In this class, we will make sweet and tender mini Pâte Sucrée Tart Shells and rich Vanilla Pastry Cream, then top them off with beautiful fruit patterns.
Intro to Basic Sewing Skills (Skill Level 0)
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:30pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Learn the basics to feel comfortable using a sewing machine. This introductory-level class includes the EC sewing machine certification necessary for many other classes and/or independent sewing machine use in the makerspace.
If you've never touched a sewing machine or a sewing needle, or if it's been years since you've sewn and you need a refresher on the basics, then this class is for you.
Prerequisite: None
Materials: A sewing machine and all necessary materials will be provided.
Prehistoric Projects: Laser-Engraved Dinosaur Puzzles
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:00pm - 3:30pmAges: 8 - 12
Class registration and more information
Come celebrate Summer Reading with a special prehistoric project: laser-engraved dinosaur puzzles! This is a pairs-making class. It is intended for one child that is 8-12 years old and one accompanying adult. Each adult may only be registered with one child.
Each registration must include:
One child aged 8-12
One adult
Beginner Sewing Level 1: Sew a Japanese Knot Bag (Class 6)
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 9:30am - 12:30pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Get acquainted with the sewing machine and basic tools of the trade. Sew a fully lined, curved project bag. Learn to sew and finish a bag with two handles that are incorporated into the design of the bag.
Class Prerequisites: Exploration Commons' Sewing Machine Certification
Required Materials: A sewing machine and all materials will be provided.
About Beginner Sewing Level 1: These classes introduce new or less experienced sewists to beginning sewing information and resources with hands-on practice.
Beginner Sewing Level 1 classes introduce and practice the following skills:
- basic sewing tools
- cutting, measuring, and marking fabric
- pressing with an iron
- basting and sewing
You can take Level 1 classes in any order, but beginners will benefit most by taking the first three classes, Class 1, 2, and 3, in sequence.
Easy Weeknight: Thai Beef with Coconut Rice
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:00pmAges: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Add some new flavors to your busy evenings in this hands-on cooking class. Join us in making this fast but tasty, spicy-sweet ground beef stir-fry, served over creamy coconut rice.
Inclusive Cooks: Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies
Friday, June 26, 2026 - 10:00am - 11:30amAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
In this hands-on cooking series for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and people without, we will prepare strawberry rhubarb hand pies.
Intermediate Illustrator: Text on a Path Tool and Creating Repeating Patterns
Saturday, June 27, 2026 - 2:30pm - 4:00pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
In this intermediate-level Adobe Illustrator skill-building class, we'll get hands-on experience with several tools to help you customize your projects and streamline graphics replication. Learn to elevate your text with the type on a path tool. Create repeating patterns and unique graphics with replication tools.
Participants must be comfortable creating and making basic changes to shapes and text in Adobe Illustrator prior to attending this class.
Adobe Illustrator: Intermediate Tools
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 2:30pm - 4:30pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Come explore more of Adobe Illustrator's capabilities in this skill-building class. We will cover various tools such as the rotate tool, reflect tool, pen and curvature tools, and shearing tools. Because this class explores more advanced functionality, it is strongly recommended that participants take our Intro to Adobe Illustrator class or complete the following prerequisite video on LinkedIn Learning: Illustrator 2025 Essential Training prior to the class date. Use the phrase 'carroll' when asked for your Library ID on LinkedIn Learning.
Tiramisu
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 2:30pm - 4:00pmAges: Adults
Class registration and more information
Learn what makes tiramisu an irresistible classic! Participants will learn what tiramisu is and create their very own to take home to share.
Creating AI Images for Use in the Makerspace
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 4:30pm - 7:30pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
In this class, we will discuss using generative AI to create images for use in the Makerspace. Topics will include what generative AI is and how it works, common pitfalls and issues with AI images, and the potential for AI use in the Makerspace. Participants will need a Google login and password for the hands-on portion of this class.
Bright, Beautiful Salads
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - 11:00am - 12:30pmAges: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
In this hands-on cooking class, participants will prepare bright, beautiful salads inspired by flavors from around the world. Learn simple techniques for balancing vibrant flavors, textures, and homemade dressings.
Intro to Laser Cutting
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - 4:30pm - 7:00pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more informationThis class is for customers looking to become certified for independent use of the Exploration Commons laser cutters. We will cover simple project creation in Adobe Illustrator, the basics of the Epilog Dashboard software, and Epilog laser machine use and safety. At the instructor's discretion, customers who successfully complete this program will be certified to use the Exploration Commons Fusion Pro and Fusion Edge laser cutters. Customers aged 12 to 15 who complete their certification are required to have a certified adult with them to use the laser independently. Due to the amount of information covered in this class, we strongly encourage registrants who do not have Adobe Illustrator experience to do one of the following prior to attending this class:
- Take an Intro to Adobe Illustrator class (in person at Exploration Commons or on LinkedIn Learning — use Library ID: carroll).
- Take a laser project class at Exploration Commons (one that does not require participants to be laser certified).
- Work through the online portion of the Exploration Commons hybrid laser certification module. (No need to take the quiz; we will do that at the end of class.)
Beginner Sewing Level 1: Sew a Small Messenger Bag (Class 7)
Thursday, July 2, 2026 - 9:30am - 12:30pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Get acquainted with the sewing machine and basic tools of the trade. Learn to sew a gusset into a bag with rounded corners. Practice how to sew and insert a cross-body handle into the bag.
Class Prerequisites: Exploration Commons' Sewing Machine Certification
Required Materials: A sewing machine and all materials will be provided.
About Beginner Sewing Level 1: These classes introduce new or less experienced sewists to beginning sewing information and resources with hands-on practice.
Beginner Sewing Level 1 classes introduce and practice the following skills:
- basic sewing tools
- cutting, measuring, and marking fabric
- pressing with an iron
- basting and sewing
You can take Level 1 classes in any order, but beginners will benefit most by taking the first three classes, Class 1, 2, and 3, in sequence.
Knife Skills Practice: Ratatouille
Thursday, July 2, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:00pmAges: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Do you need to brush up on your knife skills? In this two-hour refresher class, we'll cover the basic cuts and create a delicious ratatouille to bake at home. The class is intended for participants who have completed a basic knife skills class.
