About Us
Phoenix Forge is a makerspace powered by GateWay Community College on behalf of the Maricopa County Community College District. It is open to the public, MCCCD students, staff and faculty.
Visit us at any time during regular hours for an informal tour of the space and to learn more about the tools and equipment we have to offer.
Can’t make it in person? Check out our virtual tour.
What is a Makerspace?
Makerspaces are community workshops. They are shared spaces where members have access to equipment, tools, software, technical training, and a community of people with similar interests. Phoenix Forge provides access to tools and equipment for prototyping (such as 3D printers) or working with metal, wood, electronics/robotics, textiles, and glass.
The partners that developed Phoenix Forge include GateWay Community College, Arizona State University, the City of Phoenix, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and APS. Phoenix Forge was designed by Gensler with construction services by TSG Constructors.
Our Team
Dr. Bruce Balfour
Executive Director
Bruce enjoys breaking things, melting metal, herding cats, and building creative environments to make magic happen, which naturally led to his development of several makerspaces around the country. After earning a master’s degree in community economic development at Penn State, followed by a PhD in sociology focused on entrepreneurship networks and arts incubators, he was hired to create Phoenix Forge. Bruce has over thirty years of management and technical business development experience in environments ranging from software companies to automotive manufacturers to federal laboratories. In his spare time, he is a metal sculptor and has had many novels published.
Benjamin Bednarz
Assistant Director
Ben has been fascinated by mechanical objects since childhood, spending countless hours taking things apart to understand how they work—and usually putting them back together again. He holds an Associate’s degree from Gateway Community College and a Bachelor’s from Arizona State University, along with additional technical training. Ben believes makerspaces are vital for students, entrepreneurs, inventors, artists, and businesses alike, providing the tools and community to turn ideas into reality.
Sandra McClain
Metal Shop Manager
Sandra fell in love with metalworking 26 years ago while studying welding in Olympia, Washington, later working at a bronze foundry before pursuing physics at ASU. She earned a Master’s in Teaching Science from NAU and went on to teach high school math and science. Sandra brings together her passion for teaching and metalworking to help members gain skills and bring their ideas to life, while also caring for a lively menagerie of animals.
Jordan Chaffin
Wood Shop Manager
Jordan has been working in makerspaces for 10 years and focusing on woodworking for the past 6. He has background in set design, and a love for the lathe. He has a passion for shaping projects from idea to finished form. Catch him in the sound booth at your favorite emo show.
Lucas Anderson
Marketing & Community Engagement
Lucas is an artist and educator passionate about expanding access to creativity to all. Through advocacy, events, and media, they help make Phoenix Forge the place where that’s possible. Lucas received their MFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. You might find them hiking in the Superstition Mountains or grabbing a slice at Via Della.
Makerspace Staff
Angela Dunbar – Jewelry Instructor
Chris Klein – Metal Shop Specialist
Chris Thayer – Metal Shop Specialist
Heather Harrenstein – Prototyping Specialist
Linda McCurry – Textiles Instructor
Michael Smedley – Wood Shop Specialist
Olivia Davis – Member Services
Percy Humphrey – Electronics/Prototyping Specialist
Philip Steverson – Member Services
Samuel Somerville – Wood Shop Specialist
Steven Redondo – Member Service
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at makerspace@gatewaycc.edu
Our current hours are Monday–Friday 1–9pm.
Yes! We love showing off our facility. Stop by any time we’re open.
No, we have many dangerous tools here. Please leave the kiddos at home!
Materials are included with any classes you take. For your own projects, we ask that you bring in materials.
We provide student & faculty memberships for MCCD and ASU, general memberships for the public, and small business memberships. Check out our membership page to learn more.
Your membership includes: General Member Orientation, Prototyping Orientation, use of the craft area and collaboration area, shop time, and 6 hours per month per specific piece of equipment. For example, 6 hours per month on the lasers, 6 hours on the lathe, etc. Additional hours range from $2-6 per hour.
We charge for classes and other orientations. Those vary in price based on their length and complexity, currently $50-$150.
For our 2D and 3D printing, you pay for materials used. We can let you know the cost before you decide to complete your print.
Our members come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some have lots of experience with tools, some have very little. All are welcome here. Our staff members are highly trained, helpful, and patient. Whether you need to pick our brains, or get some help understanding the equipment, we’re happy to help!
All new members must take a General Member Orientation. Those are offered on Mondays at 3pm, and again at 6pm and last around an hour.
