McCormick's women now have a fresh area for crafting creativity
In the heart of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), McCormick Hall, the university's only all-women dormitory, has a long-standing tradition of creating and crafting. This tradition has recently been revitalized with the transformation of the dorm's craft studio.
The new craft studio is the result of a community effort initiated by Nyssa Miller, a McCormick resident and chair of sewing, and led by Emma Johnson, the RLAD. The studio's founders believe the space encourages women to continue being creative outside of their academic and work lives.
Emma Johnson and Lily Gabaree, area director at McCormick and learning designer at the Media Lab respectively, were involved in the brainstorming and planning process for the new craft studio. They received a grant from the MindHandHeart Innovation Fund to found a modern craft studio at McCormick.
The renovation of the craft studio was assisted by MIT Housing and Residential Services. The new studio features a whiteboard for ideas, ergonomic work benches, a 3-D printer, and has replaced old wall art, couches, and a coffee table. An array of crafting tools, including a sewing machine, a serger, a button maker, a 3-D printer, and essential supplies for embroidery, knitting, crochet, and woodworking, were organized in the craft studio.
Varnika Sinha, a first-year student and resident in charge of the 3-D printer, conducts regular trainings to instruct residents in the technology. The residents of McCormick Hall spent several nights assembling furniture from Ikea to complete the transformation.
The new craft studio has replaced an under-used room with a thriving studio for crafts lovers. Having an in-dorm space for crafts is expected to help foster social connections and reduce isolation among residents. The first big community project in the new craft studio was the creation of McCormick's "next-generation quilt." This quilt showcases the diverse ethnicities and cultures of the hall, similar to a quilt designed by former residents on McCormick's 50th anniversary six years ago.
Raul Radovitzky, professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT and head of house of McCormick, praised the studio, recognising its potential to support interdisciplinary education and research in art, design, and technology. The craft studio opened its doors to McCormick residents and their friends earlier this semester.
For those interested in the historical and transformation information about the McCormick Hall craft studio specifically, it is recommended to consult MIT’s archives, the MIT Department of Architecture or the MIT List Visual Arts Center, or reach out directly to MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning for documented histories about the facility.
- The transformation of McCormick Hall's craft studio was a community effort led by Emma Johnson and Nyssa Miller, with contributions from learning designers like Lily Gabaree and funding from the MindHandHeart Innovation Fund.
- The new craft studio at McCormick Hall, run by Varnika Sinha, provides training in technology like 3-D printing for its residents.
- Raul Radovitzky, head of house at McCormick, praised the studio for its potential in fostering interdisciplinary education and research in art, design, and technology.
- The renovated craft studio at McCormick now features modern amenities like ergonomic work benches, a 3-D printer, and a variety of crafting tools for activities like sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and woodworking.
- The first big community project in the new craft studio was the creation of McCormick's "next-generation quilt," showcasing the cultural diversity among its residents.
- The lifestyle at McCormick Hall is being enhanced, as the new craft studio encourages students to incorporate creativity into their personal growth, learning, and academic lives.
