Dundee Contemporary Arts is delighted to be taking part in Make:Shift:Do this month, a festival led by the Crafts Council taking place across the UK on 28-29 October 2016. DCA Print Studio will be offering two days of taster sessions and open days allowing visitors to discover fascinating technologies, learn about how they can be used, and have a go themselves.
On Friday 28 October visitors can drop in to a free Print Studio Open Day from 11:30 – 17:00, with the chance to have a look around, hear from highly-experienced members of the Print Studio team and watch demonstrations of the equipment being used.
On Sat 29 October a series of taster sessions between 11:00-18:00 will offer the chance to learn about techniques using some of the fascinating technology available in DCA Print Studio. The four courses on offer are: 3D Printing, Laser-Cutting, CNC Engraving and Vinyl-Cutting.
The 3D Printing taster will allow users to have a go of a handheld 3D scanner, make a simple 3D print file and see a 3D printer in action. The Laser-Cutting course will show the abilities the technology has to engrave materials from paper to stone and glass. CNC Engraving involves users learning how to engrave and cut designs, drawings and images into a wide range of surfaces, while the Vinyl-Cutting session will show the many purposes it can be used for beyond text, by creating stencils, drawings and images, with users able to cut their own designs.
Make:Shift:Do is an opportunity for members of the public to try their hand at new crafts for the digital age through almost 40 workshops, events and activities on the two days across various venues in the UK.
Annis Fitzhugh, Head of DCA Print Studio, said: “Where we have been innovative is in providing a huge range of fabrication technology and technical assistance at low cost, thanks to our Creative Scotland funding. DCA Print Studio is publicly sited at the heart of the building and this amazing facility is here for everyone to access. Taking part in Make:Shift:Do is a great opportunity to welcome people in.”
Beth Bate, Director of DCA, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with Make:Shift:Do and to be given a platform to introduce the incredible facilities we have to many people who may not know what lies beyond the doors of our wonderful Print Studio. By offering open days and taster sessions we hope that people can come along and experience the different processes involved, and see what can be created with the cutting-edge technology available.”
Make:Shift:Do is organised by the Crafts Council, in partnership with founding partners the V&A and the Institute of Making at University College London, and supported by partners the Centre for Fine Print Research at University of the West of England, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Fab Lab Nerve Centre, and Ultimaker GB.
The public Make:Shift:Do festival is part of the Crafts Council’s wider innovation programme which includes their two-day conference. Make:Shift explores craft and innovation and takes place at Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester on 10 – 11 November 2016.
Nicky Dewar, Head of Learning & Talent Development at the Crafts Council said: “Over 3,000 people attended Make:Shift:Do last year and we are proud to announce our programme for 2016! Craft has been supporting innovation within the UK for a number of years and this is a wonderful opportunity for the public to try their hands at learning some new skills such as virtual reality and cross stitching using a conductive thread.”
To book tickets for DCA’s Make:Shift:Do events, visit www.dca.org.uk.