Kelly Hofer
Kelly Hofer Studios

A maker who was raised Hutterite, Kelly Hofer has been making waves in Calgary’s creative community. And although he works primarily in photography, his artistic endeavours span across a multitude of mediums such as furniture, light sculptures, and electronics. One of his stand out pieces is the 3×4 ft etched glass lightbox depicting a scene from the Hutterite colony. 

Growing up in a culture that has cultivated and promoted the concept of community for over 500 years, Fuse33’s community oriented space serves a home away from home for him. Kelly has been a long time friend of Fuse, after meeting the founders Shannon and Maria through the art shows they hosted prior to Fuse33’s conception. He became a member soon after the launch of Fuse33 as he was in need of a larger space to realize his creations. 

A Network of Innovative Individuals

Fuse33 serves many purposes in Kelly’s craft. It’s a practical space, as it gives him access to diverse tools and workrooms to create his projects that would otherwise be too messy to embark on at home. Moreover, Fuse33 fosters a network of innovative individuals that aid in keeping the maker spirit alive. This resonates particularly with Kelly, as he is able to explore and fuel his creative pursuits other than photography.

“I find that Fuse33 has done an outstanding job at creating and sustaining a community that is meaningful and life-improving to people,” he says. “It’s also an excellent place to meet a cacophony of creative people that have interesting things going on, which I don’t normally get in working from home.”

Kelly feels that being able to work freely in a space surrounded by talented peers has helped expand his creative thinking which in turn has inspired his photography over the years. This includes a career in the photography industry with his work reaching hundreds of clients, many of whom he connected with through Fuse33. 

For Kelly, Fuse33 isn’t just an important addition to Calgary’s community, he believes it’s critical.

“It’s a space where people can develop ideas and build them into businesses without the crippling costs and paperwork usually required for such ventures. The way it brings everyone together is also vital for building and more importantly, maintaining a community of creative people.”

See more of Kelly’s work at kellyhofer.com.