Shout out to Twirl Playspace for another fun and successful Invent Event! STEMarts Lab hosted an interactive VR station led by STEMarts Ambassadors. This year’s cohort of new apprentices underwent thorough training in virtual reality (VR) apps and learned how to guide participants in donning VR headsets and creating immersive 3D art using Tiltbrush. It marked their debut as experience guides, and they absolutely excelled. A big congratulations to Atma Budd-Ramirez, Raziah Ko, Savannah Romero, Kylie Alvarez, Zion Flores, and 2023 Apprentice, Sirena Quezada.
Shaylee Mirabal, an apprentice from the Taos Pueblo Education and Training Division, demonstrated outstanding leadership as the event manager. She oversaw the setup of installations and effectively supervised the six apprentices throughout their shifts. The children who participated thoroughly enjoyed immersing themselves in the world of virtual art creation. We witnessed a constant flow of VR enthusiasts exploring our three interactive stations.
Moreover, we have had the pleasure of training local artist Izumi Yokoyama on Tiltbrush, the VR painting app. Izumi collaborated with the apprentices, conducting workshops and virtual sessions to enhance their art-making skills. She ingeniously crafted space-themed virtual worlds, inviting participants to contribute to the evolving artwork, and shared this knowledge with the apprentices to inspire them in creating their own immersive realms.. She captivated the audience with live painting performances throughout the event.
We’re eagerly anticipating our next STEMarts event, and it wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our partners and sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to UNM Taos HIVE, The Encantado Foundation, LANL Foundation, LANL Community Programs Office, Q Station, MAE Foundation, NMarts, NM Trade Alliance, Taos Community Foundation, Walmart Community Foundation, and all our private donors! Your contributions make our endeavors meaningful and impactful.
