Portland Made: Woodworker Josh Mabry

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Monday, April 06, 2015

Kelley Roy, GoLocalPDX Contributor

The idea of ADX, or Art Design Portland, was conceived in 2010, and officially birthed into the world in January of 2011. The original idea was to serve as a nucleus for all of the amazing, creative energy swirling around in Portland by bringing people from a variety of backgrounds together to work under one roof. 

Since then, the space itself has become a vehicle for putting some structure and intention around the energy of the local creative community, and sending it back out into the world in the form of jobs, new product lines, new businesses and new ways of thinking about art, design and production. ADX has become a support system and hub for artists and designers from around the Portland region.

ADX helps designers and makers of all stripes with all aspects of taking their products to market and creating profitable businesses that lead to an increase in long-lasting, quality jobs in the manufacturing sector. We also create a space for artistic exploration through both traditional and new technological mediums, and host poetry readings, all ages music shows, art exhibits, meet-ups and workshops on a regular basis to keep the spirit of discovery and creative expression alive.

ADX and it’s partnering organizations and companies, have helped elevate Portland as one of the creative capitals of the world. With the ‘X’ in our name being a play on Portland’s airport handle, PDX, we like to say that we’re moving towards becoming Art Design International. And our members and makers throughout Portland can get used to that!

Over the past year, one of the friendliest and most consistent faces around the shop has been ADX member and friend, Josh Mabry, and Josh Doll, ADX Creative Director is going to tell you a little bit more about him.

Josh came to ADX in January 2014 with little to no experience in making things by hand. Although he had always been a creative, he had never taken time to fully explore his creative options. Hoping to find inspiration, he enrolled in a few different classes. After being drawn into the allure of woodworking, Josh has since spent his time in the ADX wood shop bringing the ideas he scribbles in his notebook to life.

Mabry’s new collection of wooden jars and lamps serve as functional pieces of art. Across his line of goods, he strives to use reclaimed and sustainably sourced materials whenever possible, and even makes his own locally sourced beeswax finish. 

These gorgeous wood products, including the lamp he’s making in this photo set, are available through his website madebymabry.com.

Want to check out more of Josh’s work? Follow him at @made.by.mabry on Instagram or contact him at [email protected]. For more stories like these, follow the ADX blog and social media, at adxportland.com.

Kelley Roy is the Founder and Owner of ADX and Portland Made, and has been working for the past 5 years to grow Portland’s Maker Movement. She consults with the people from around the world to create Makerspaces, like ADX, in their communities. Kelley has become a globally recognized leader in the Maker Movement and is helping to put Portland Makers on the international map. She co-authored Cartopia: Portland’s Food Cart Revolution in 2010, has a graduate degree in Urban Planning and an undergraduate degree in Geological Sciences. Kelley’s passion is helping creatives hone their skills, start their own businesses, and make a living doing what they love.

ADX is a 14,000 square foot Makerspace where artists and designers work along side each other to prototype and launch new product lines. ADX is also open to the general public and teaches people of all ages how to make. And if you don't want to do it yourself, you can hire them to do it for you. For more information check out adxportland.com and watch this video. 

Portland Made is a collective of makers, artisans, manufacturers and retailers that advocate and support members by providing education and marketing, a shared resource hug and a brand that promotes their products locally and globally.  For more information see www.portlandmade.com. 

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