Hatch Workshop has made a space where artistry, innovation, and healing meet. For the past eight years, this makerspace has served as a sanctuary for creators, families, and curious minds.
Located in Downtown Stockton, Hatch offers classes in woodworking, ceramics and metalworking.
It also houses eight resident artists and hosts events ranging from open mics to spiritual healing sessions. In the past five years, more than 125 public events have taken place in the space, bringing in new members from different parts of the city.
“We want Hatch to be a place where people feel safe to be their full selves,” Lishea Wilkerson Known for her community-centered energy, she helps organize events and shares her work as a spiritual healer. Her role, like much of Hatch’s culture, blends art with intention.
The workshop’s origins trace back to an unusual opportunity: a one-year free lease on a three-story hotel and two warehouses. That temporary setup eventually led to Hatch’s current home.
Co-founder and Executive Director Elazar Abraham helped execute the transformation.
“We just took the leap,” said Abraham, who also works as Hatch’s production manager and digital creative specialist. Hatch was founded in 2019.
Originally from New York, Abraham moved to Stockton after time spent teaching and interning in Colorado and Seattle. He now splits his time between Hatch, teaching at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado annually, and farming at Boggs Tract Community Farm in Stockton.
With a background in new media, biology and visual arts, Abraham brings a unique lens to community building.
“It’s about clarifying the relationship between order and chaos,” he said.
That balance is reflected in the environment Hatch fosters — structured creativity with room for experimentation.
One of Hatch’s standout features is its 24-hour access for resident artists.
Artists are selected through programs like the Emerging Makers Incubator, which offers six months of free studio space to help them launch or refine their craft. The program is aimed at supporting early career creators without placing financial strain on them.
Among Hatch’s many attractions is the adventure playground, a community-built space that encourages unstructured outdoor play. There is also a rage room where participants can safely release emotion, a feature that complements Hatch’s holistic approach to community wellness. The rage room is especially popular with college students and young adults who use it as a stress-relief outlet.
Ceramics at Hatch is another highlight, thanks to the leadership of studio manager Jacqueline Bahnsen.
Known for her welcoming spirit, she has created a space where both beginners and experienced potters feel at home.
“She’s amazing,” said Lishea Wilkerson. “People always have a good time coming to her workshops. Even if you don’t know how to work with ceramics, she puts people at ease and they come out with a good product.”
The art of ceramics itself is described as fine and meditative, giving individuals a chance to slow down, zone in and explore their creativity.
Hatch Workshop has also become a place of remembrance.
A recent tribute to local artist Geovanie Brooks brought the community together to honor his legacy through music, art and shared stories. Events like these reflect Hatch’s deeper mission to serve not only as a makerspace but as a cultural hub.
“What sets us apart is definitely our camaraderie with each other,” said Lishea Wilkerson. “It’s a family friendly space. People come here and say they never knew we existed, but once they’re here, they feel the vibe.”
While the tools and materials inside Hatch are essential, it’s the people that make the workshop thrive. The atmosphere promotes authenticity, welcomes experimentation and uplifts creativity in all forms.
“We’re all part of this,” said Abraham. “This place isn’t mine. It belongs to everyone who has found something meaningful here.”
