In 2024, as the organization enters its 25th year, Project Threadways, Alabama Chanin, and The School of Making prepare to move into a new home in the heart of Florence. After two decades of visioning and planning, we purchase a historic warehouse downtown and begin transforming the iconic space into a new headquarters and community hub.
Located in Florence’s emerging Arts and Entertainment District, the building at 302 East College Street brings together the three arms of our organization under one roof in the city center. It features a Maker Lab for Alabama Chanin artisans and The School of Making workshops; a versatile event space for symposia and community gatherings; a café with a view of artisans at work; retail and exhibition areas; offices and design studios; and dedicated space for interactive art, public history and humanities experiences.
This new home allows us to deepen our connection with the local community, while advancing our mission to nurture artisan craft, provide educational opportunities, partner with academic institutions, and preserve stories of textiles in our region and nation.
As we embark on this journey, Project Threadways launches a capital campaign to raise funds for the building renovation. In collaboration with partners including Opportunity Alabama, Meter Haus, Bank Independent, and Main Street America, we seek donations from the community that has supported us over the past twenty years to bring this vision to life. We set a goal to raise $3.5 million and begin renovations in March 2025, with a targeted grand opening in November of 2025.
Slide 1: The future location of Project Threadways, Alabama Chanin, and The School of Making in downtown Florence, Alabama. Photo courtesy of Meter Haus.
Slide 2: Preliminary drawings for the new location, courtesy of Create Architects.