Wearable tech and 3D printing at first ever Leeds Craft Hack

Cutting edge digital technology and the latest art and design techniques will come together at the first ever Leeds Craft Hack next week.

Visitors to the new event at Leeds City Museum will have the chance to use high tech laser cutting, make their own wearable tech and get an up-close look at the fascinating world of 3D printing as part of an exciting day-long programme of workshops and demonstrations.

The Craft Hack has seen the museum team up with experts at Leeds Hack Space, who will be delivering workshops at the event.

An innovative local group that brings together creative people and gives them access to the latest tools, the Hack Space have access to high tech equipment including a laser cutter, metal lathe, 3D printers and a vinyl cutter.

Among those also there on the day will be Studio12, an audio-visual hub based at Leeds Central Library, who will be bringing their own 3D printer and giving guests a chance to make their own jewellery.

Studio12 librarian Claire Duffield said: “We’ve had the 3D printer for a while so we’ve been learning all about it and it’s fascinating. We think now’s the time give people a chance to experiment with it and see for themselves what it can do.

“We’ll be giving people a chance to make their own stamps and jewellery and also look at some of the programming behind 3D printing too. We’ll also be recruiting people from the event to come and do some further work with us at Studio 12.

“Leeds Craft Hack is a fantastic idea and a really innovative way of getting people to look at craft and design in a whole new way.”

As well as 3D printing, visitors to Leeds Craft Hack will also be able to try laser cutting, etching their own key rings and a heat press, which can be used to jazz up old t-shirts.

Artist Ian Kirkpatrick will also be demonstrating how he uses graphic design and digital technologies to make sculptures and a series of wearable technology workshops will give people a chance to design their own piece of wearable tech using Electroluminescent wire.

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said:

“The Leeds Craft hack is an exciting addition to the museum’s calendar and a great chance for people to drop in and learn about something different which they may have never seen up close before.

“Bringing together art and science in a way that’s fun and interesting is an excellent way to engage people and get them thinking about the ways that innovation, technology and creativity can interact.”

Leeds Craft Hack takes place at Leeds City Museum on Wednesday, October 14 from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

Entry and all activities are free but some activities may need to be booked in advanced by emailing the museum at: city.museum@leeds.gov.uk

For more details, visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/Events/Pages/leeds-craft-hack.aspx

ENDS

For media enquiries, please visit:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk