Made at MakerLab Gallery Show, "Value(s)"

The "Values" exhibit in the Steel Plant Fashion Gallery. Photo by Lilian DeFilippis '26

The Marist University MakerLab opened its new gallery exhibit this semester, titled “Value(s).” Made entirely by students, the gallery consists of a wide array of art, including photography, paintings, sculptures and clothing created in the MakerLab.

The MakerLab is a community art space at Marist that offers almost everything students need to create art. There are 3D printers, heat presses, photo printers and more, allowing students the freedom to connect to the theme of “Value(s)” in any way they see fit. The lab is run by student workers and fosters a comfortable, collaborative environment for artists.

MakerLab Gallery Director Grace Bolander ‘26 said that putting the gallery together was “a long but incredibly rewarding process.”

“All of my coworkers at the MakerLab are so talented, and the show would not have happened without the collaborative effort that everyone put into it,” Bolander added. 

The gallery begins by defining “Value(s)”, stating, “Color value, monetary value, sentimental value and moral value are just some of the things that may come to mind when someone hears the word. Because of the subjective nature of art, the intersection between art and value allows for immense creative, personal, political, existential and meaningful pieces.”

Multiple gallery artists spoke about their work processes and what their pieces mean to them. 

Claudia Skretkowicz’s ‘26 piece, “A Quiet Ascend,” was inspired by her love of hot air balloons and was created with a laser engraver on wood. She wanted the work to serve as a lasting memory of the festival she attended.

“I used two photos I took at a local hot air balloon festival as the inspiration for the piece,” Skretkowicz said. 

She said the work connects to the exhibit’s theme of values through perspective.

“When you rise in a hot air balloon, everything below you looks different and sometimes smaller. The balloon reminds me to step back, breathe and remember that not everything is as big as it feels in the moment,” she said.  

Skretkowicz added that the balloon also symbolizes growth and independence.

“A hot air balloon does not shoot up instantly. It rises gradually and requires steady heat to stay in the air. I see it as a metaphor for personal growth. You move forward slowly, figure things out as you go and gain confidence through the effort you put in, even when you are unsure of the path at first,” she said.

Maria Ale Leclair ‘26 talked about her two pieces displayed in the gallery. One, “Beam of Visions,” is a homemade projector made from laser-cut wood. Leclair used recycled materials found in the MakerLab. 

“I made it based on the Lumière Brothers, who created the first projector,” she said.

Leclair’s second piece is titled “The Best Album Ever.” 

“One of my favorite artists is Latin Mafia, and my favorite album is “Todos los días todo el día.”

I played the album and started doodling, so I guess you could say the design is a representation of the artist as well as myself,” she said. 

Leclair discussed how the piece relates to the gallery’s theme. 

“The album has personal value for me because it reminds me of my heritage and culture. The color palette is very representative of the liveliness and joy that my culture has,” she said. 

The gallery also features a food donation shelf near the entrance titled MakerLab Mutual Aid. The food is donated by Marist students for those who may not have money for groceries while balancing school life.

“While the school does have a food insecurity committee working to fight hunger on campus, there is not yet an active food pantry available. So, we decided that instead of donating the food, we would make it available to the entire campus community,” said Bolander. 

The MakerLab serves as an important space for students to express their creativity and the gallery is a perfect way to display their work. 

“Finding the MakerLab at Marist meant a lot to me because it gave me a creative space back,” Skretkowicz said.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday in Steel Plant room 106 from now until the end of March for all to visit and discover what “Value(s)” mean to the Marist community.