In one hand, Thomas Wegner is a maker. In the other, he is a host. Over the years these two qualities found their way together producing his passion project MakeRoom, thanks in part to his education in interior design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
MakeRoom is an artist residency, located in Minneapolis, Minn., that provides the time and space for artists of all kinds to think, contemplate, explore and create.
“One of the things that’s been really fascinating to discover since I’ve started my own residency is...I discovered that there’s a sort of small and growing movement right now in the creative community,” said Wegner.
That movement, he said, is a compilation of personal passion projects. And with Wegner’s long-standing passion for helping people, he now shares his home with these creators from across the world, learning, sharing and listening to their unique ideas.
MakeRoom provides fall applications for possible residents. Wegner noted that prospective residents must live outside of the Twin Cities. In March, Wegner will be welcoming UW-Stout graduate Jordan Jirschele.
Wegner said that his education at UW-Stout helped launch this idea: “Stout offers students the opportunity to see how collaboration makes so much more possible.”