ARTSLab educator selected for first-ever CNM Ingenuity residency

Jessica Metz, ARTSLab Manager at the University of New Mexico, has been selected for the inaugural cohort of CNM Ingenuity's Fuse Makers in Residence program, a three-month initiative designed to support innovative creators with access to advanced tools and collaborative space.

Through the residency, Metz will utilize the FUSE Makerspace's resources to develop her project. The opportunity provides participants with hands-on access to cutting-edge equipment. The program is supported by a grant from the Nusenda Foundation.

As part of her residency, Metz will also deliver an artist talk and lead a workshop that will be open to the public. Her project centers on sound and language.

"I do a lot of field recordings, a lot of sound work," Metz said. "One of the things I started doing in grad school was building larger sound sculptures because I finally had the space and resources to do that here at UNM."

Metz will make twelve speakers and customize them herself. She'll have access to the metal shop, the wood shop, and the outdoor space.

"One of the things I proposed in my project was that I wanted to demonstrate how someone could take advantage of the full makerspace using all of the different tools that they have to develop and build more complect projects," Metz said.

Metz jokes that while she does have a master's degree in fine arts, she describes herself as a master of none, but being an artist gives her skills to constantly be learning new skills to create her projects.

"I think having the mindset that we have to be masters of a craft to take part in it can put too much pressure on ourselves," Metz said. "The people at FUSE are eager to help and knowledgeable."

She intends to bring her newfound knowledge back to the ARTSLab this fall semester.

"I hope to be teaching that these tools are constantly changing, but the principles behind them stay the same, from a 3D printer to a laser cutter to a router to a plasma cutter," Metz said. "I really hope to lower the barrier of entry and help people feel confident that they can come in and learn how to use these things."

Metz hopes this residency creates potential for more movement between the ARTSLab and the Makerspace.

"You can learn fantastic things at UNM, you can learn fantastic things at CNM. We have excellent tools to create here in Albuquerque, and I hope more artists can take advantage of that," Metz said.