Creativity to be Celebrated At First Kent State Mini Maker Faire®

Makers across all disciplines, from art and design to technology and science, will now have the opportunity to exhibit and discuss their unique talents in one environment at the first Kent State Mini Maker Faire® to be held on April 24 from noon to 4 p.m. on the first floor of the University Library.

Developed in collaboration with the Fashion School’s TechStyle LAB, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, University Libraries and the Blackstone LaunchPad program, the Kent State Mini Maker Faire will offer a venue for students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as the greater Kent community, to exhibit their work, explore new technologies and creative processes and talk firsthand with makers while sharing information and resources. 

“The College of the Arts is excited to sponsor the Maker Faire through a new internal grant award process called Catalyst Interdisciplinary Projects,” says John Crawford, dean of the College of the Arts. “The Catalyst awards are meant to promote creativity and collaboration across disciplines both within and outside the arts college. The Maker Faire will bring artists, entrepreneurs and collaborators together to explore new ideas and innovations."

“Our respective programs saw a natural affinity in bringing Maker Faire to Kent State University based on the wide range of resources our departments collectively provide the community and the makers we come in contact with regularly,” says Kevin Wolfgang, manager of the TechStyle LAB. “Kent State University has a well-developed maker culture, and we look forward to highlighting and fostering that talent and creativity through this event.”

The event is free and open to the public. Individuals interested in participating and exhibiting at the Maker Faire or who wish to learn more about the event can visit http://makerfairekent.com. Applications are being accepted until April 14.

Maker Faire  is a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists and garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. More than 100 Maker Faires are held annually around the world. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow communities.