A Change of Gears: Kinetic Sculpture Lab Rolls Into a New Home

Sculptures from the Kinetic Lab in Arcata pedal down H Street in the Glorious and Official Unofficially Sanctioned 2021 Kinetic Grand Championship Saturday. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

The Kinetic Sculpture Lab is excited to announce that it has a new temporary home at 1680 Samoa Boulevard, the former SoilScapes building. This move allows the Lab to continue its mission of building, experimenting, and creating kinetic sculptures while maintaining strong roots in the local creative and maker community.

The new space provides room for fabrication, collaboration, and mechanical mayhem—essential ingredients for the Lab’s ongoing projects and future builds.

The Kinetic Sculpture Lab would like to extend sincere gratitude to the Yurok Tribe for their support, understanding, and flexibility throughout the transition. Their willingness to work with the Lab on lease timing and exit logistics made this move possible and reflects a shared commitment to community, creativity, and mutual respect.

“We are deeply thankful to the Yurok Tribe for being such thoughtful and accommodating partners,” said Malia Matsumoto, co-captain of team Hamtastic Glory. “Their support during this transition has meant a great deal to our team and the Lab as a whole.”

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Call for Community Moving Help

As part of this transition, the Kinetic Sculpture Lab is calling on the community for help moving 33 years of art, tools, and materials into the new space. Volunteers are invited to lend a hand on:

February 14 and 15, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

What to bring / wear:

• Closed-toe shoes

• Work gloves

• A willingness to lift, organize, and help where needed

All levels of help are welcome — whether you can lift heavy items, help load and unload, or assist with organizing.

For more information and to sign up in advance visit: https://tinyurl.com/HelpKineticLab

Whether you can help lift, load, organize, or simply show up with good energy, all assistance is appreciated. This move is a community effort, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of friends, makers, and neighbors.

The Lab looks forward to continuing its work at its new location and welcoming collaborators, volunteers, and community members into the new space.

For updates, open shop days, and upcoming projects, follow the Kinetic Sculpture Lab through its usual channels.