Prototype PGH

gender + racial equity through tech access, workshops, and peer support We are located at 460 Melwood Ave.
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10/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to the first annual Protobabe Block Party and celebrated ten years of Prototype with us! We have raised over $2,000 so far to go towards equipment and instructor stipends for our makerspace programming and supplies. The Prototype community is grateful for your support and every dollar goes a long way.

There is still time to donate at the Givebutter link in our bio!

Follow our social media and email newsletter, and check out our website, for news on future social events at Prototype.

10/12/2026

PROTOMESH COLLECTIVE GENERAL MEETING X OAKLAND
3rd Thursdays, 6-8pm

The Protomesh Collective is an antiprofit volunteer formation with a dual mission: building high-quality low-cost Meshtastic-capable radios for our neighbors, and educating our neighbors in Meshtastic/LoRa specifically and electronics fabrication in general.

These meetings are open to the general public but are intended for administration and internal discussion; those seeking an introduction to Meshtastic or Protomesh should consider attending one of the free “Introduction to Meshtastic” workshops offered by the Protomesh Collective on 3rd Saturdays, 3-5pm.

10/05/2026

Come to our Protobabe Block Party on Oct 10th, 3-6pm, as well as our other October offerings! Prototypepgh.org/events or link in bio ~

09/29/2026

Calling all babes!! Celebrate ten years of Prototype PGH at the PROTOBABE BLOCK PARTY on Saturday, October 10th - 3-6 PM behind the Blumcraft building, where our Oakland makerspace is located. DJ Carrie Sours will carry us through an autumn afternoon of food, fun, and camaraderie.

🎶 💃 🪩 Carrie Sours / SOURS
🎟️🪎🎲 raffle of gift baskets for local experiences, merch, and handmade works crafted by our members
🍲 🫜🌯 vegan falafel by our potluck distro members
🎨🫟🎪 screen printing, community mural and other activities

Come check out the makerspace, dance and have a good time! Prototype the future you want to live in! Party with the Protobabes!

Folks will be allowed in at the “door” until we hit capacity; tickets at the link in bio to reserve your spot and book a time slot for screen printing your tote bag ahead of time. Suggested donation $15-25 for entry, NOTAFLOF at the door.

event poster by H J

09/21/2026

Hey Protobabes — Prototype is in our 10th year of operations, and we need your support!! Check out the link in our bio to donate to our annual fundraiser and get tickets to the Protobabe Block Party on 10/10 to celebrate - more info on that coming soon!
❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜
Over the past ten years, our member-driven, volunteer-powered nonprofit has grown from one small space in the historic Blumcraft Building. Now occupying two locations in Oakland and Sharpsburg, our q***r feminist, trans-led makerspace has served hundreds of people in the greater Pittsburgh region by offering monthly workshops, affordable co-working spaces, and access to cutting-edge digital technology. In addition, our small business incubators have helped over sixty local creatives launch new enterprises, while our Maker to Manufacturer Program prepared more than two-dozen low-income participants for new careers in manufacturing. Help us reach our goal of $10,000 so we can continue to make a big impact in our community!
❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜

Your Impact:

Your financial support enables us to provide high-quality programming, share skills, and build community. Donate today so we can update or replace our well-loved analog equipment, such as soldering irons and silk screens. Help us expand the local Mesh radio network so we can practice staying connected when it matters most. Acquiring new equipment such as an electronics workbench and our own server will enable us to level up into our next decade of operations!

Every donation offsets our monthly operating expenses, and allows us to continue hosting workshops where No One is Turned Away for Lack of Funds (NOTAFLOF). Together, we can make arts and technology accessible for all!

09/08/2026

09/03/2026

ZINE WORKSHOP W/PUBLIC SOURCE
Sept 15th, 6-8pm
460 Melwood Ave
~RSVP at prototypepgh.org/events or at link in bio~

Join us for a zine workshop with Simon Hebert from Public Source! He will be sharing about the open call for Pittsburgh zines (a project of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and Public Source).

You can make your own zine with our materials or make a page for a Prototype zine to submit to the project.

Learn more about Public Source ("Pittsburgh's watchdog newsroom") and craft with others at the same time!

08/10/2026

August 30th @ 4-6pm
460 Melwood Ave
~Sign up at link in bio or at prototypepgh.org/events~

Bring your own craft to work on in a friendly group setting. This is a casual, freeform meetup to socialize while working on any craft you like. You're encouraged to bring your own project, but if not, beads for bracelet making or supplies for zine making will be provided. There will not be any formal instruction, but there will probably be some folks happy to teach you about whatever they're doing.

FACILITATOR BIO

Vance () is a Prototype board member and a lifelong crafter, dabbling in mediums from jewelry to electronics to crochet. They operate a very small craft business under the name Caesium Tea.

08/04/2026

After many months of repair, our Omtech Polar Lite 55w is up and running at our Sharpsburg location! (The settings just need to be dialed in.) We'll be using Lightburn software.

Introductory training sessions for current lasercutting members coming soon!

08/03/2026

Thank you for supporting and signing up for our monthly equipment workshops over the years.

However, we are now phasing them out in order to focus on our private equipment clearance trainings. The 1:1 trainings can be booked on our website (on the Equipment page) and include reviewing the basics of how to use our vinyl cutter, laser cutter/engraver, and 3d printer.

This tailored experience can cover any specific questions or projects you are interested in, and meet you at your current level of experience with any of these machines.

All of the money paid for private trainings goes to the instructors to honor their time and expertise. But technology access for all and forever so NOTAFLOF still applies.

Members interested in becoming cleared to train other people should email [email protected] and [email protected]

Address

Pittsburgh, PA

Website

http://www.prototypepgh.com/

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