From book-making to photography to sculptures made of trash, Seattle University’s Media Production Center (MPC) highlighted a variety of art and artists at their first Maker Share this past Thursday. But what even is Maker Share?

As Billodue Makerspace and MPC Manager Nick Ames put it, Maker Share is the “documentation of anything you do.” 

The MPC in the Lemieux Library has created a place for creators all across campus to share their work, make connections and bond over creating together. Maker Share events are a great place to dip your toes into Seattle U’s creative community.

Maker Share events are hosted at both the MPC and the Makerspace at 12:30 p.m. The ones at the Makerspace are held on the third Tuesday of the month, while the ones at the MPC are every third Tuesday.

This month, the MPC brought in special guest Paulo Gonzales to share his experience as a Seattle U alumnus. Gonzales works at the Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) and has a large portfolio of photographs, zines, and other analog art creations. At Maker Share, Gonzales passed out his own handmade zines. His pieces were all shots from daily life, presented to the audience in hand-bound photograph books, bound with a combination of bookbinding and hardware store materials. 

“Messing with materials is so much fun,” Gonzales said as he explained his creative process. 

Shooting in both film and digital, he prints his photos out before taking them to the copy machine. While the images are being scanned, Gonzales takes this chance to interact further with his medium. Whether it’s tearing, shaking, or even blowing onto the photo, he manipulates the piece into a unique final product. 

In August, the PCNW holds a yearly zine fair for those interested in learning more about zines and how to make them. People can meet to purchase zines, photo books and other items to support local artists. There’s even the opportunity to apply and be an exhibitor!

The PCNW also hosts a photography fundraiser event in July called Chase The Light. Each year, photographers across the world take pictures during the same 48-hour weekend, ending with an exhibition and print sale later in the month.

Displaying next was Makerspace specialist Rachel Segrest who made a custom banner combining digital illustration, laser cutting and piecing together pieces of felt to make the final product. Segrest’s art bridges the gap between digital and analog mediums. They’ve also worked on Twitch streams that broadcast “Creative Art Therapy Sessions.” By taking advantage of the benefits of multiple mediums, Segrest is able to expand upon the limits of working with one medium alone.

Afterward, Ames shared a video of his process of making a model remote out of trash. During the lockdown of 2020, Ames ran Maker Mondays, where he and his students would meet on Zoom to create pieces out of recycled trash. There’s value in “Turning trash into something,” Ames stated. His work highlights how it isn’t required to have expensive or fancy materials to create something cool.

Finally, MPC Specialist Alex Guevara showed a video he was involved in the production of as an editor. Made within 48 hours, the short film is the product of a “film off” challenge, requiring certain props, lines, and characters to be involved with the final product. This resulted in the Eye Of The Lamb, available to watch on YouTube.

All these creators have highlighted the unique and special ways to get involved with the creative world. Working with different mediums, materials, and people allows for new creative innovations to be made all the time. If you’re a creative looking for inspiration or in need of materials, the MPC’s Maker Share has you covered.

“There’s so many people getting creative,” Guevara stated. “And sometimes you just never meet them.” 

Maker Share events offer aspiring artists an avenue to network and expand their creative skills. Creatives all across campus are invited to attend future meetings to meet with like-minded people and share their ideas, art, and unique processes.