It’s not uncommon to spot a small free library standing guard in St. Louis. However, what MADE Makerspace is planning to honor the May 16 tornado takes this concept to a whole new level with 26 libraries.
The nonprofit arts organization intends to construct, decorate, and fill 26 little free libraries, each symbolizing a neighborhood affected by the storm. They will be arranged in a spiral formation—dubbed the “Upward Spiral”—on Maker Hill along Delmar, adjacent to their building. Following this, in the months ahead, the libraries will be distributed throughout the community, ensuring each of the 26 neighborhoods receives an installation and ongoing maintenance. The initiative aims to engage the community, inviting the public to MADE to create tiles that will adorn the little free libraries, while art therapists will be available to assist them in processing their experiences. It’s an ambitious endeavor, but the past year has certainly called for it.
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Rachel King, executive director of MADE Makerspace, vividly recalls the terror of May 16, 2025. “We received an alert on our phones, and within three minutes, windows were shattering around us,” she remembers. She took cover under a table (thankfully, no one at MADE was harmed). Once the chaos subsided, she stepped outside—almost in disbelief—and encountered not only Ben Poremba, whose restaurants Nixta and Florentin endured significant damage, but also residents from the streets north of Delmar, many of whom had lost everything. “We were all together,” she shares. “What occurred was tragic, but witnessing the community come together was truly heartening. It didn’t matter who you were; everyone just wanted to help.”
She hopes to channel that same spirit into the project, which will be led by MADE in collaboration with artist and MADE ambassador Martha Valenta.
Valenta reflects on the contrasting recovery experiences in wealthier neighborhoods (where roofs may still be covered but are done so professionally) and the devastation in other parts of the city. She envisioned Maker Hill—a simple grassy area between Craft Alliance and MADE on Delmar—as a gathering space for the community.
In the year following the tornado, MADE has made strides to facilitate access for neighbors, introducing “community classes” that do not require a membership fee to participate. Valenta saw this as a foundation to build upon.
“I thought, What if we could all come together again and turn this into a more positive experience?” she says. As a result, the project will welcome community members to MADE to create tiles free of charge. Valenta and King plan to engage participants from each affected neighborhood and customize their library to reflect the local spirit. She emphasizes her approach with one question: “How can we truly highlight these neighborhoods and help people gain a better understanding of them?” For instance, she notes that Chuck Berry was a longtime resident of The Ville. “So it might have a music box,” she suggests. “There could be a handle on the side that plays music, or it might function as a take-one, leave-one for musical instruments or printed music sheets. I don’t know yet. I’m going to collaborate with community members to bring these ideas to life.”
The project will launch on May 15 from 6–8 p.m. at MADE Makerspace (5127 Delmar) and on May 16 from noon to 3 p.m. at St. Louis ArtWorks (5959 Delmar). Community workshops are set to begin on June 2 from 4–7 p.m. and will continue throughout the year.
The goal is to have the “Upward Spiral” completed by the two-year anniversary of the tornado in 2027, with the installation remaining on Maker Hill for at least six months before the little free libraries are distributed to all 26 neighborhoods.
They hope the project will garner attention throughout its development, installation, and eventual distribution. “We want people to witness what’s happening in St. Louis because there’s still work to be done,” King states. “And we aim to shine a positive light on the area, showcasing this effort as a recognition of the challenges we’ve faced and the hard work that lies ahead.”
