FabLab Offers Unique Creative Opportunities

I usually don't consider myself a creative person apart from the work I do with my camera. My sister, Amber, got the artistic gene in our family. Anything she does art-wise turns into something that should be inside a gallery. However, that changed recently as I spent some time at the UTA Central Library's FabLab. 

The FabLab hosted one of its hands-on workshops, and the goal was to create a glass holiday ornament. After some encouragement from the student staff along with Morgan Chivers, FabLab Librarian and Artist in Residence, I thought, "why not give it a go." 

The process started with selecting a design for the ornament, which turned out to be a snowflake. Snowflakes remind me of growing up in Michigan. From the fun times, I had building snowmen in the front yard or hurling a snowball at my brother Peter. All good times.  

Once the design was selected, the FabLab's student employees walked this novice through using raw materials to craft them into something beautiful. The knowledge the staff possessed about glass was tremendous.  

You could see their passion for art as they took me through each step of the project, from marking and scoring the glass with a cutter, cutting it, to assembling it back together and placing it inside the glass kiln. They were great teachers with tremendous patience.  

As we worked together through this process, it was fun to see that creative side of myself come to life and find a new outlet. When it comes to making art, I'm not your guy. I'm more of a person who greatly appreciates art and spends time at a museum or watches a demonstration at the local Renaissance Festival. 

However, spending time in the FabLab earlier this week changed that perspective. I encourage everyone to take part in one of the workshops if they have some free time. It is not only a lot of fun, but you learn something about yourself while creating something unique.  

To find out about the upcoming events and workshops in the FabLab, check out the UTA Libraries' webpage, https://libraries.uta.edu and social media channels.