In McCormick, a fresh environment established for female artists to craft their work
The McCormick Hall at MIT has transformed a previously under-utilized room into a modern craft studio, providing residents with a dedicated space for creative activities and hands-on making.
The idea for the transformation was initiated by Nyssa Miller, a sophomore resident and chair of sewing at McCormick. She was joined by Emma Johnson, area director at McCormick, and Lily Gabaree, a learning designer at the Media Lab, in leading the project. The community effort was also supported by Nyssa Miller and Emma Johnson's application to the MindHandHeart Innovation Fund, which resulted in a grant to found a modern craft studio at McCormick.
The new studio now features a sewing machine, a serger for advanced sewing, a button maker, a 3-D printer, and other essential supplies for embroidery, knitting, crochet, and woodworking. The space also includes a whiteboard for ideas, ergonomic work benches, and a 3-D printer. Varnika Sinha, a first-year student and resident in charge of the 3-D printer, conducts regular trainings to instruct residents in the technology.
One of the first big community projects undertaken in the studio was the creation of McCormick's "next-generation quilt." The studio's founders believe the space encourages women to continue being creative outside of their academic and work lives.
The old sewing room was small, dark, and cluttered. The transformation process, which was an exercise in community building, saw the residents of McCormick Hall spending several nights assembling furniture from Ikea and organizing crafting tools. The room redecoration was done in consultation with Head of House Flavia Cardarelli.
It's worth noting that McCormick Hall is MIT's only all-women dormitory. The craft studio opened its doors to McCormick residents and their friends earlier this semester. Emma Johnson and Lily Gabaree plan to organize open craft nights and more hands-on workshops to engage McCormick's vibrant community of makers.
MIT's broader support for student creativity and innovation through programs like MIT Sandbox—which offers funding, resources, and educational opportunities—is indicative of institutional efforts to encourage a maker culture and creative experimentation within student housing and facilities. The transformation of the sewing room into a modern craft studio at McCormick Hall is a testament to this commitment.
References: [3] MIT News Office. (n.d.). Sandbox Innovation Fund supports student creativity and innovation. Retrieved from https://news.mit.edu/2020/sandbox-innovation-fund-supports-student-creativity-and-innovation-0325
- Nyssa Miller, a sophomore resident and chair of sewing at McCormick, led the transformation of a previously under-utilized room into a modern craft studio, backed by funding from the MindHandHeart Innovation Fund.
- The new craft studio features various technological resources for creative activities, including a sewing machine, a serger, a button maker, and a 3-D printer, with Varnika Sinha conducting regular trainings on the 3-D printer technology.
- The studio's founders believe the space fosters a creative lifestyle for women, offering an opportunity for them to continue being creative beyond their academic and professional lives.
- McCormick Hall, MIT's only all-women dormitory, has opened the new craft studio to residents and their friends, with plans to organize open craft nights and more hands-on workshops to engage the community.
- MIT's commitment to student creativity and innovation is evident through programs like MIT Sandbox, which provides funding, resources, and educational opportunities to encourage a maker culture and creative experimentation within student housing and facilities.
- Students can find a wealth of resources for personal growth and education in areas such as fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and education-and-self-development, further nurturing a culture of innovation on the MIT campus.
