We could all strive to be more like the letter X. It is a letter that has structural and sculptural integrity. With a wide stance and arms extended, it will not tip over. This letter is perfectly balanced and well proportioned; if it had a back you bet it wouldn’t ache. What would be an inspiring space to allow us to become more like the letter X? Our bodies are sculpture; we sculpt them along with objects. Could it also be an intersection of form and function, public and private? The Strength & Conditioning Creation Station is a participatory artwork and a functioning gym where folks can “design” their own workout in several different ways. There will be a mixture of creative minded people, personal trainers, and physical therapists to talk about the benefits of weightlifting with dumbbells and barbells and then to guide participants through the actions. However, the weights will not be standard, they will be made out of various upcycled materials crafted at the Red Hook Community Center Makerspace during open studio hours and special workshops throughout the summer and fall.

“The connection between wellbeing and art making is the driving factor for the majority of my work. At the beginning of July 2016 I moved back home to the Hudson Valley and later that month my brother died from a heroin overdose. Through grieving, working, and other life changes I have realized that in order to function I need to have the ability to create every moment of my life which is why I decided to farm and start the Makerspace. I aspire to create something enjoyable, recovery friendly, and free for the area that my brother and I spent the majority of our lives in.”

Daniel Totten is an artist and farmer who grew up and currently lives in the Hudson Valley. There he works on a beef and poultry farm and is the founder and program coordinator of the Red Hook Community Center Makerspace. He received his BFA from Alfred University in 2015.