Stoll Industrial Knitting Machine
CMS 530 HP 7.2 Stoll Industrial Machine
Moving Native art and fashion forward with Stoll technology
TOTAL RAISED: $66,046 of $65,000
WE DID IT!!!!
(Amount raised will be updated daily)
Two Different Ways to Support
Purchase a limited edition beanie specific to this fundraiser available below.
Or donate a dollar amount using the “Donate Now” button below. You will then be added to a special mailing list where you will receive exclusive perks, discounts, and updates on the Stoll Machine and future collections.
Or Purchase a Beanie Below
The Goal
As a Native identifying artist and curator of contemporary Native art, a discussion I often find myself in is: What does it mean to be Native?
More often times than not people label “Native art” into a single generic category, concealing the vast diversity of Indigenous peoples. When in reality, the community is full of diversifying perspectives, experiences, and connections to what it means to “be Native”.
With that said, Native art and fashion is often viewed as something static; that in order for it to be “authentic” it needs to look traditional or reference something historical. Although many Native artists do create work rooted in culture and history, we are still contemporary people, moving forward just like everyone else. There is no reason why, what is considered to be Native art, cannot change or shift with the advancement of technology and new processes.
In 2019, I received my certification in Stoll (CMS) Industrial Knitting at the Stoll Training Center in Reutlingen, Germany. Stoll is a leader in automated flat-knitting machine technology. During this program, I learned about the complexities of knit structures and pattern analysis, the general operation and maintenance of using the CMS machine and how to program patterns using the Stoll M1Plus pattern software.
I believe introducing this technology to my community and making it accessible to other artists will create financial stability, push artistic boundaries, allow for collaborations and provide an efficient and effective response to community needs.
Breakdown of costs
CMS 530 HP 7.2 Stoll Industrial Knitting Machine $40,000 (Refurbished) - $65,000 (New)
M1 Plus Programming Software $5,000
Shipping from manufacturing site in Germany to Minneapolis $5,000
New Computer to run software program $5,000
Start Up Materials $10,000
Timeline And Challenges
I am hoping to raise enough by the end of the year in order to get the machine by late winter/early spring. If my goal is not met I will be looking in to different loan options. I have been able to slowly build my business thus far without any debt and hope to continue to do so with hard work and your support.
Future Business Goals
Collaborate with and teach other artists about Stoll
Start a scholarship program for Native students in textiles
Have funds available to sustain community need projects
Learn about investing for the future of the business
Purchase a building for the future site of Makwa
Other Ways to Help
Whether or not you are able to financially contribute, there are other ways that you can help:
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