ABSTRACT
The international makerspace movement is a perfect example of people getting together to fill a niche and meet a need without the vertical intervention of the government or an external institution. Xerocraft was originally hosted at Dry River, an anarchist collective in Tucson that operated on an informal basis. The roles of teacher/student are fluid; they are continually being redrawn as people reach out to those who are more or less experienced in a craft or the use of a certain tool. People learn at their own pace and make progress according to personal goals. Xerocraft is a living reminder that other models of democratic, public pedagogy are possible. What started out as a club for a few tinkerers has expanded into a committed organization, which actively contributes to the larger community’s cultural and scientific life.
