Fabricator, designer, and project manager based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
I’ve spent my career turning ideas into real things. First, as a scenic designer on more than 170 theatrical productions. Then I ran a community fabrication space, managing the shop, staff, and budget. Along the way, I built museum installations, art for Burning Man, and a web company that has served clients for over 20 years.
I’m looking for fabrication studios where I can lead builds, manage projects, and help artists take their work from the sketchbook into the world.
I’m adept at welding, woodworking, finishing, CNC, electrical systems, modeling in Blender and Fusion 360, and creating shop drawings. I can also build schedules, manage budgets, and manage clients.
What I bring
Design and Engineering
- Scenic design and drafting across 170+ productions
- 3D modeling in Blender and Fusion 360
- CNC toolpathing and file prep
- Turning an artist’s sketch into something buildable
Fabrication
- Metal-work and welding
- CNC routing and laser cutting
- Woodworking and finishing, including shou sugi ban
- Electrical, lighting, and motor control
Project management
- Schedules, budgets, and scope for builds and events
- Managing staff, volunteers, and vendors
- Grant funded work, including reporting and compliance
- Client communication from pitch to punch list
Install and strike
- On-site install in museum and festival settings
- Build week, load in, and strike (sometimes on the playa)
- Transport and trailering of large pieces
Featured projects
Case Study: Building a Covered Wagon for Burning Man
I spent four weeks building a covered wagon for Burning Man; I had never been. My friend Calli Beck of…Case Study: The James Castle House Exhibit
Why I did this work As executive director of Make Santa Fe, I instituted a program that creates opportunity for…
Building Dream Demons – Personal Sculpture Project
These abstracted portraits of childhood nightmares are fragments of recurring characters from James’ childhood dreams. Representing strife, fear, stress, and…
Case Study: Building Sunday in the Park with George
In the summer of 2024, I built the set for Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George at Santa Fe…
Building a Water Tower for the Stage
Director: Felix CordovaRole: Technical Direction, Shop Lead, Scene DesignerCompany: Santa Fe Playhouse
Building Signs for Galisteo Basin
These large signs (biggest at 12′ wide) were constructed from mild steel and aluminum. The letters were burned out with…
Shop and Team Leadership
I’ve run a shop, a staff, a budget, and a business. I know what it takes to get a project out the door.
Running a makerspace (2022 to 2026)
For four and a half years, I ran a community fabrication facility in Santa Fe as Executive Director. That meant running a working shop full of woodshop tools, CNC machines, laser cutters, and metal equipment, used by hundreds of people at every skill level.
I managed shop safety, equipment, staff, programs, and the budget.
Running a business (2004 to now)
I own Mindshare Labs, a web and technology company in Santa Fe. Twenty-plus years of client work taught me how to scope a job, price it, and deliver it. Those skills carry straight into fabrication.
Building cool shit (since forever)
I’ve been building things for stages, galleries, and shops my whole career. Before I ran anything, I was on the shop floor.
Let’s build something big.
I’m looking for full-time or contract work leading fabrication projects. If your studio has a build that needs a hands-on project manager, I’d like to hear about it. I’m based in Santa Fe and open to travel or relocation.
Process Photos
