Hi Friend 👋🏾

I’ve missed you! I’m sure you’re curious where the hell I’ve been this past month—truth is, I’ve been living and breathing life into SpaceCraft. Nearly every day, I’m in the space upgrading equipment, engaging with artists, and petting Banjo, the shop dog over at Ironwood Studios. Time really slipped away from me.

As the winter blues melted into spring sunshine, I realized that I needed to pause and re-evaluate how I engage with you all. So, I took a step back. I promise I won’t ghost y’all again (haha) because I truly missed the digital connection we share through this newsletter. I learned that I was too focused on the tactical weekly updates, rather than the emotive storytelling of SpaceCraft.

This newsletter is my digital playground. A gentle space where I can share new learnings, exciting behind-the-scenes updates, and speak candidly without the pressure to find the perfect hook in under three seconds.

And in the spirit of connection and transparency, I’m announcing that this newsletter is pivoting to a bi-weekly launch. This rhythm allows more room to dive deeper into the stories unfolding at SpaceCraft while keeping you in the loop with the freshest updates.

As the newsletter evolves, I hope you feel called to share what you wish to see—maybe you’re an artist seeking community, an art fan craving a play-by-play of the latest show, or maybe (hi Mom) you’re just here to support me. Either way, I want this newsletter to be a vessel for connection.

And with that, welcome back into SpaceCraft’s orbit. Enjoy the ride.

Best,

Jaleria Rivera, Founder ✨

🗞️ News ↓

💖 SpaceCraft is going to Bonnaroo 💖

Y’all words can’t described how over the moon I am right now—SpaceCraft is going to Bonnaroo! Yes ma’am, we are debuting our creative reuse store, SpaceJunk, at one of the largest festivals in the United States. Trust me, there are HELLA MORE announcements on SpaceJunk coming down the line. But, I wanted to start off by saying, “AAAAAAAAHHH”!

🎉 Happenings ↓

Check out the top experiences happenings at SpaceCraft in the next two weeks! Each event is an unique, limited-time event.

View the calendar below to learn more about events, classes, and shows happening at SpaceCraft. Feel free to subscribe to our calendar because it’s ever-evolving as we add more programming.

Wishful Speaking: Open Poetry Mic 🎤 Sat, 3/3 🎤 6P

Wishful Speaking seeks to combine the parts of us that are compelled to create something out of nothing! It calls to those of us who write and create stories from all of our parts.

​Those of us who seek to share in community, to be brave, and to speak out loud (or quietly) in a safe space. SpaceCraft is the container for open mic poetry and story sharing with a sprinkle of music and experimental noise.

Please come with an open mind and squishy heart:) Share some of your poetry and stories and/or join us in listening to the folks in our community share theirs. Occasionally we will have time after our reading to enjoy live music by amazing local and visiting artists.

​This space will center and uplift Queer BIPOC voices and stories but everyone is welcome.

Beginner Belly Dance Workshop 🌹 Mon, 5/5 🌹 6:30P

Belly dance class for all bodies focusing on the joy and release of movement. We will discuss the history and cultural legacy of belly dance. Then, express ourselves through the foundations of belly dance. Perfect for all levels.

• Date: Monday, May 5th

• Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

• Location: SpaceCraft, 119 Jennings Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917

• Cost: Free (donations appreciated)

• Size: Limited to 15 dancers

Class Structure:

• Welcome & Introductions

• History Lesson

• Warm Up

• Movement Breakdown & Shadow

• Hafla

• Cool Down

​Encouraged to bring:

• ​Hip scarf (extra available)

• ​Water

• ​Deodorant

• ​Socks (barefoot optional)

*Videos will not be captured during the class to retain the authentic energy of the class and ensure all dancers are comfortable.

Generative Goodness Poetry Circle 💌 Thu, 5/8 💌 6P

​Ekphrastic collage, guided exercises and writing games, oh my! Following a brief group reading and discussion, participants will be guided into a series of hands-on prompts and experiments to create unexpected visual poems - how they combine their writing with visual elements is up to them, but guidance and examples are provided along the way.

​Final crafts might be a ekphrastic collage representing a poem, a ""found word"" poem crafted from a pre-curated grab bag of words clipped from books and magazines, drafts based on poem prompts, a sense of poetic community, and more.

​Workshop admission includes

• ​Workshop instruction + materials

• ​Admission to the Artists Playground (BYO-Craft Night)

• ​Snacks and refreshments

HERE & HERE BEFORE Album Release 🎸 Sat, 5/17 🎸7P

Join Kelsi and friends at Ironwood Studios for an unforgettable night of music as she brings Here and Here Before to life—an album born from heartbreak, healing, and the courage to love herself and others freely. With soulful vocals, intimate storytelling, lush arrangements, and catchy indie rock grooves, this release show will be a night not to miss.

Come experience the songs where they were meant to be heard: in a room full of people, celebrating one another and that we are here, alive in this one life- together. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Schedule

• 7:00pm: Doors Open

• 7:30pm: Madeline Finn

• 8:15pm: Here and Here Before in full

• 9:00pm: Community BYOinstruments & songs

• 10:30pm: Ironwood close

📣 Co-op corner↓

☎️ Message from First Take Co ☎️

First Take is going all in on our summer season: the more we raise, the more we can do! ⚡️

It’s our third season (crazy — we know), and we have a bunch of projects we want to bring your way. To make them happen at the scale you deserve, we’re launching our first fundraiser!

Each tier level unlocks new projects — with our ultimate goal of $10k allowing us to bring you concerts, plays, club concepts, short films, and give us a visual refresh as we continue to expand (even overseas)!

We have plenty of info at the campaign page in the link in our bio — anything you can give lets us focus on bringing you cutting edge work 🙏

Stay tuned for our full Tier 1 announcement coming soon 👀

🖼️ Throwbacks ↓

Remember Space65? It was a sick art making festival!

So, remember that art-making festival I promoted back in early spring? Well, I’m thrilled to report that it was a major hit!

With the support of a dozen artists, we hosted a free art making festival during the week of the Large Hearing Organs Festival (IYKYK). We had everything under the sun from stand-up comedy to costumed figure drawing to an open jam session. SPACE65 felt like an elementary school field day, but for grownups, artists, and everyone in between. The only goal? Come out and have fun.

Four days of art, laughter, movement, and pure creative magic all fueled by this incredible community. Some standout moments included:

• Jaleria (me lmao) having an Avril Lavigne moment and learning how to use a loop machine at the open jam session.

• We hosted our first SpaceJunk Art Supply Swap and reclaimed over 100 pounds of art supplies.

• Meeting amazing filmmakers at the Minute Films experimental film screening. They even had an animator!

To everyone who showed up, shared their art, took a chance, and made this festival what it was—thank you. 💛

Drop your favorite SPACE65 memory in the comments because I’m curious to know what stood out to you. And, if you’ve got Polaroids or pics, tag us! 📸

The creative energy doesn’t stop here. We’re cooking up something exciting to celebrate our one year anniversary!

🎨 Ways to support ↓

SpaceCraft is open to all mediums, no matter if you craft, make, design, tinker, or shake! Our intention is to become a beacon for all artists seeking a space to make art uninhibited.

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• • Exclusive, free entry to SpaceCraft gatherings
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