Made @ Maker Lab Holds Opening Reception for Gallery

Photo of The Maker Lab Gallery via Ava Battinelli '26

The Maker Lab had its opening reception for its exhibit, Made @ Maker Lab 2024, in the Steel Plant Fashion Gallery on Jan. 25. 

Upon entry, many projects are displayed around the room where visitors can get close to examine the works. All works are made with various materials, from carefully layered denim on a dress to expertly engraved wood-carved Monopoly cards.  

“I am not as in tune with the series of artworks that are on display here, but from an outside perspective, it’s very approachable,” said Ty Long ‘24. “It’s like the artwork is welcoming you.”

The items displayed at the gallery were required to be 50% made in the Maker Lab. The interactive pieces are a new addition to the annual gallery that welcomes visitors into the exhibit. Many guests were spotted interacting with the student-made creations – such as laser-carved stamps – and taking the complimentary art pieces from a display case. 

“I’ve worked in the galleries at Marist for the past few years now, and we don’t typically do interactive galleries,” said Abby Koesterich ‘24. “I think that not many people at Marist know that the galleries are here.”

The Maker Lab is located in the back of the first floor in the Steel Plant, and someone is always there to help with whatever tools are needed for a creative project. Many tools are readily available for students to use free of charge, with notable apparatuses such as a soldering iron, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, sticker making, and a photoshoot location.

“There are so many resources here for the students,” said Koesterich. 

The interactive art pieces were utilized by the students who visited the exhibit, while the other pieces included articles of clothing, modeling photos, sculptures and more. All displayed pieces were developed in the Maker Lab, such as a pile of stamps carved from the laser cutter and a large print of “MAKER LAB” that visitors can sign and color.

The layout of the gallery was designed by students, for students. A form is sent out around campus to allow students to submit their Maker Lab work. 

Near the front of the gallery is a charity effort for the Hudson River Housing Inc., where visitors can donate to support the effort against homelessness. “Through a pay-what-you-wish donation, you will receive a token to take home a piece of art displayed in our Art Vending Machine,” a plaque reads above the donation box. 

The Maker Lab is not just limited to students studying fashion; any Marist student can access the lab and use the many pieces of equipment there. The Maker Lab Exhibition is intended to promote student creativity across campus. “Anyone can be an artist in this space” are the words displayed to all who walk in the lab.