AU hosting Holiday Maker’s Market at Georgia Cyber Center

It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday shopping, and, with less than 70 shopping days until Christmas, the holiday season will be here before you know it. Every year, publications throw together lists of the “hottest” or “latest and greatest” gifts for the loved ones in your life, but chances are they are missing out on some of the best kinds of gifts – handcrafted by local artisans.

A flyer for a holiday market that will feature hand-made items for faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Augusta University.

Augusta University will be ready to bridge that gap from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, with the Augusta University Holiday Maker’s Market at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center. The special event will showcase one-of-a-kind, handcrafted creations made by AU students, faculty, staff and alumni, from art, jewelry and woodwork to 3D-printed designs, home goods, soaps and food.

AU students, faculty, staff and alumni who make and create are encouraged to take part and share their craftsmanship with the Jaguar community. Registration is free and is open exclusively to members of the AU community. Interested vendors are invited to sign up early to reserve their spot and help highlight the creativity and talent that make Augusta University unique.

Vendor Registration

“Augusta University is proud to support our homegrown entrepreneurs this holiday season,” said Tina Baggott, interim executive vice president for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development at AU. “Our students, alumni and employees are exceptionally talented, and we are thrilled to provide a venue to showcase their talents while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across our campus and community.”

Many of the items featured have even been made in the Cyber Center’s maker space, The Garage, inside the Shaffer MacCartney Building. Items will include laser-engraved designs, 3D-printed figurines, custom prototypes and more.

A chess set that has been made with models of different kinds of succulent plants. — Examples of items that have been made at the Garage Maker Space that could be available for sale during the AU Holiday Maker’s Market.

A woman holds up a candle. — Examples of items that have been made at the Garage Maker Space that could be available for sale during the AU Holiday Maker’s Market.

The Garage features a messy prototyping zone, electronics zone, 3D printers, a collaboration zone and a small pod room. Throughout the year, The Garage hosts numerous workshops that include bobblehead night, rapid prototyping and more.

The Garage is free to AU students and community members are invited to purchase a membership, which opens up a whole range of possibilities, including access to fabrication equipment, sessions with a maker space specialist, group maker events, volunteer Program, prototype design/prototype fabrication, Garage workshops, guest speaker events and fabrication services.

“At the Holiday Maker’s Market, we celebrate the spirit of innovation within our own communities, championing student, faculty, staff and alumni entrepreneurs as they share their creativity, passion and purpose with the world,” said Lynsey Steinberg, director of innovation with AU’s Entrepreneurship and Community Innovation team within the Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development unit.