By Katherine Buerke ’26, staff writer
LVC’s Process and Production Studio has expanded to connect more students to the art of creation.
The studio was founded last year as a place for creative exploration thanks to a grant from alum and board of trustees member Elyse E. Rogers. Last semester, the studio was located in an empty faculty office in Humanities and could only house a handful of students at a time.
Dr. Holly M. Wendt, professor of English, communications and creative writing and director of creative writing, wrote the grant proposal that allowed the space to expand, and works hands-on with students to help them explore different art mediums.
“We live in an increasingly digital world, and a lot of us get sick of looking at screens,” Wendt said. “So this is a way to engage with the physical process of making something—to do slow work, to appreciate the process and to feel invigorated by the thing that we made.”
The relocation to Humanities 001, the former mailroom, accommodates up to 15 students, and provides space for clubs to organize interactive projects. The new location is divided into two sections: one for fiber arts, and one for book arts.
The fiber arts section offers table looms, a spinning wheel, band-weaving looms and materials for sewing and repair projects. Many fiber arts materials, such as looms, can be expensive, so the Process and Production Studio eliminates a financial barrier that may prevent students from pursuing these art forms.
The book arts section includes a 1930s manual printing press, which has been used to create commemorative post cards for visiting writers as part of the “Writing: A Life” series. The next printing press day will be Friday, Oct. 10, where students can help make cards for the upcoming visit of writer Hannah Grieco.
Materials for softcover bookbinding are also available for students interested in creating handmade notebooks and journals.
“This is very much a space to try things,” Wendt said. “Getting good at something takes time and we should celebrate it rather than mourn it.”
Junior English and Creative Writing major Kohai Pavan is a regular to the studio, and has enjoyed experimenting with weaving, bracelet-making and embroidery. He encourages other students to take advantage of the opportunities offered.
“I have learned that I am capable of a lot more than I thought I was,” Pavan said. “I can do a lot of interesting things I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”
Studio hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. All students are welcome to stop by and experiment with the materials available as well as bring their own projects. Clubs interested in using the studio should contact Wendt at wendt@lvc.edu.