What is a Maker Faire?
A Maker Faire is a community-based learning event that inspires everyone to become a maker while connecting with people and projects in their local community. In short, it creates opportunities for conversation with makers, tech enthusiasts, crafters, artists, scientists, engineers, students, and entrepreneurs. These “makers” come to together to show their creations and demonstrate their hobbies, experiments, projects. We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth – a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Windsor-Essex Mini Maker Faire
Windsor-Essex has a true hidden treasure. We live across from an iconic city that has a rich history of Makers. We embodied Detroit’s vision. Windsor is labelled Canada’s Automotive Capital. We are literally a city of Makers. But we don’t stop at Automotive — Windsor has a unique community of artists, designers, crafters, engineers, scientists, tech stars, and much much more. We wanted to capitalize on this hidden gem and bring together Makers from all different backgrounds to showcase their hidden raw talents.
So, in 2018, the University of Windsor, EPICentre, along with St. Clair College, organized Windsor-Essex’s first Mini Maker Faire. The Faire hosted over 25 local makers and drew over 300 attendees including students, families, and fellow maker enthusiasts. Because the event had such a positive result, EPICentre continued the initiative to host the event again in 2019.
The 2019 Windsor-Essex Mini Maker Faire will be held at the University of Windsor, School of Creative Arts (SoCA), which is located in a brand-new facility that opened in December of 2017. SoCA was built in the Windsor Armouries, which has been a Windsor landmark since it was completed in 1902. It has served many functions as a place where the community gathers for concerts, markets and special events. The University of Windsor has engaged architects to re-imagine the Armouries as a new space for learning and community engagement while maintaining the integrity of this historical building. See pictures on http://www.uwindsor.ca/campustransformation/331/armouries-construction-photos.
Because of this unique space, we decided to theme this years event: Where Tech Meets Art. Although we want to showcase Windsor-Essex’s extraordinary Art & Tech Makers, you will see a large array of different Makers participate in the Faire. Think you have what it takes to participate in something so EPIC? Well, you’re in luck. We are currently CALLING OUT ALL MAKERS! If you are a Maker who loves to tinker and build unique things and if you want to share your passion, apply today to be apart of the 2019 Windsor-Essex Mini Maker Faire. We are accepting applications until February 25th. More information can be found here: https://windsoressex.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/.
___________________________________________________________________
We also have several sponsorship opportunities available. Why sponsor?
1. Access to an engaged demographic, from families with young children, young adults, or retirees that like to tinker.
2. Investing in the Windsor-Essex Mini Maker Faire is investing in future talent and in your future workforce.
3. Maker Faire showcases that learning also happens outside the classroom — your support continues to support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) learning for all ages.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities: windsoressex.makerfaire.com/become-a-sponsor/.
___________________________________________________________________
Maker Faire brings together families and individuals to celebrate the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset and showcase all kinds of incredible projects. Join us on Sunday, March 24 from 10am-3pm. Get tickets today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/windsor-essex-mini-maker-faire-2019-registration-53836625797
