Dublin Maker puts out the call for 2017 showpieces

22 Mar 2017

Scenes from Dublin Maker 2016. Image: Bríd O'Donovan

An annual attraction in Dublin City Centre, Dublin Maker is now accepting applications for this year’s show. Do you have what it takes?

Welcoming educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, students, authors and commercial exhibitors of all ages and backgrounds, Dublin Maker’s going strong as it enters its sixth year.

Held during the Festival of Curiosity, 22 July is the date that a new venue – Merrion Square – will be overrun by inventions and gadgets, experiments and colour.

Claiming more than 10,000 visitors attended the event last year, Dublin Maker sported 50 makers who helped get the show on the road.

The call for applications is open until the end of April, with the organisers willing to answer queries through numerous forums – direct, Twitter and Facebook.

“Dublin Maker gives the opportunity for makers to interact with each other, to share ideas, and to show examples of their work, projects, crafts, inventions, products and hacks in a vibrant fair-style event,” said the organisers.

Those considering applying need not have a finished project, nor do products need to be for sale anywhere. “We want you to share how you make, so in-progress, hobbyist projects are A-OK!,” said the organisers.

To apply, people or groups need to submit an entry form, giving as much information as possible about the project. Pictures and video are encouraged.

Last year, Dublin Maker popped along to the Inspirefest Fringe event to showcase some of the work that’s been built and developed at some of the previous workshops, which went down a treat with the families who were in attendance.

This year the organisers have specific areas of the makers’ space for which they would like to attract entries, with some of the topics currently requested including: