ASSEMBLAGE MISSION
- COMMUNITY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY -
Our intent is to contribute to the building of an inclusive community and provide a way for makers, builders and artisans to showcase their work and share their skills with the Pacific Northwest. Our motto of "cooperation, not competition" speaks directly to that intent, for we truly believe a rising tide should lift all boats.
CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING PRINCIPLE
As a long time advocate for makers and a person who's motivated by community, I am incredibly fortunate to be aligned with ASSEMBLAGE. My professional career includes 20+ years of retail marketing and visual design for store environments and brand activations. Plus seven years managing successful community building programs, pop-ups and street fairs for non-profits. As a natural problem solver with a reputation as "host with the most", I aspired to be a catalyst for cooperation and change within the community of makers and creatives. To be inclusive, to provide support, to incite joy and to have fun
FRANK BARNETT
CO-FOUNDER
When I became unemployed right before the pandemic, I opened a business and became a member of Portland's small business community. It was lonely in the beginning. But I soon discovered a welcoming community of artists, makers, and creatives eager to connect and happy to lend an ear or a hand. I feel like I've found my people. My favorite thing about being part of ASSEMBLAGE is learning the stories behind the makers. This is a strong and resilient community that I’m proud to be a part of.
JAIME JOHNSTON
CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE
FOUNDER
I’ve always been a people connector, whether in life, my business, or other various projects I have, like Stockpiler. I’ve received so much help throughout my career, so I do my best to help anyone who asks. Finding a common goal with Frank, Jaime and Jubal was such an exciting moment. It meant that we could really pool our resources and create something exciting.
FOUNDER, EMERITUS
Having spent most of the last decade as a contractor building restaurants while running my working furniture/woodwork shop, I've gotten to know many people in both industries. When I saw the toll the pandemic was taking on both industries, and what others were doing to help, I knew I had to find a way to contribute; to pay back the communities who have had my back. Finding common goals with Christopher, Frank and Jaime, we decided this was indeed something we wanted to tackle together.
JUBAL PREVATTE
OUR HISTORY
Makers Union PDX sprang up in April 2020 as a solution for Portland-area makers and creatives whose business models were based on in-person markets and retail accounts that were heavily impacted by the pandemic. As stores closed and markets were cancelled, founding members MC Lemay (metalsmith), Jubal Prevatte (carpenter) and Christopher Dibble (photographer) created our online marketplace. Later, Jaime Johnston (Project Director) and Frank Barnett (Creative Director) were recruited as super-volunteers who became the drivers behind the Street Fairs and Holiday Markets.
While we have shuttered the online marketplace for now, it supported our creative community with a virtual space for makers to sell their goods during a difficult time. The marketplace also became a way to raise funds for our community members who were financially stressed by the pandemic.
In 2020, we donated 15% of on-line sales to the Black Resilience Fund, an emergency fund dedicated to healing and resilience by providing financial assistance to Black Portlanders. We also partnered with Portland Made to activate nine vacant retail window spaces around the city and showcase the work of local artists and makers. This exciting project, featured locally made goods by dozens of brands and artists, with a QR code that linked the public to online sales of products featured in the windows.
In 2021 we donated 10% of all retail proceeds from The Makers Studio Holiday Market to Taking Ownership, a collective of contractors who renovate Black-owned homes and help enable Black homeowners to age in place and deflect the gentrification process.
In 2022, we rebranded as ASSEMBLAGE to be more inclusive. Our vision is to be accessible to all makers and crafts people, regardless of identity, who want to build community, camaraderie and rekindle the soul of Portland. We offer grants and resources to young, new and marginalized makers so that no one feels turned away for lack of funds or experience.