A Capitol display – TU students exhibit 3D designs in D.C.

Members of the Towson University Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education displayed their work at “Making for the Arts” exhibition at the Rayburn House across from the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Congressional and federal staff, local makers and educators in attendance viewed 3D-printed architectural models, sculpture and jewelry, colorful hand-knitted basketball nets, a collaborative 3D-printed bust and 18K gold-plated 3D-printed shoes.

The Towson display included a collection of works created by students and faculty ranging from sculptural objects to objects of function. All the works were made using digital fabrication technologies and are on temporary display in the display cases outside the Department of Art offices in the Center for the Arts. Students Neal Hassel, Sarah Weithomer, Kirk Higgins, and Julie Ansorge as well as alumnus David Barrios and faculty members Joshua DeMonte and Rachel Ellsworth were in attendance.

DeMonte said, “These events are fantastic opportunities for our students. They get the opportunity to talk to people about their art and process. Not only will they be capable makers, but they will be confidant speakers.” 

The event was an opportunity for members of Congress to meet organizations that use Maker principles to build creative community spaces and reach the next generation of Maker artists with creative programming. It was also designed to explore the intersection of making, the arts, and creative thinking and to see how the Maker movement and the arts spur innovation and strengthen our communities. 

Rep. Mark Takano of California, chair of the Maker Caucus and the host of the event, spoke as did Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, co-chair of the STEAM caucus, along with Jane Chu, the chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Congressional Maker Caucus serves as a bipartisan group of members dedicated to issues related to the Maker Movement, a grassroots effort by people who design and create their own products, including those who use digital fabrication technologies.

The House Maker Caucus provides a greater voice in Congress to those individual and companies who are a part of this growing movement. 

The event was hosted by the Congressional Maker Caucus in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Public Knowledge, Fractured Atlas, the Congressional STEAM Caucus, the Congressional Arts Caucus, and Shapeways.

The caucus was co-founded and is currently co-chaired by Takano (D-CA), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Mick Mulvaney (R-SC).