“We want visitors to see the range of creativity in our community and leave with an
idea they are interested in exploring, whether that involves art, technology or
something they can build at home. Maker Faire gives people a chance to meet the person behind a project, ask questions and try something themselves.”
Maker Faire Louisville 2026 will take place Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Louisville’s Engineering Student Success & Research Building, 201 Engineering Drive. The event is free and open to the public, with no tickets or advance registration required. Presented by Louisville Makes and hosted by the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the event brings together artists, engineers, crafters, hobbyists and inventors to share their projects and explain how they were made. Exhibits and activities will take place inside and outside the building, with opportunities for children and adults to meet makers and participate in hands-on demonstrations. A big thank-you to @GEAppliances, a Haier company, headquartered in Louisville and a proud sponsor of Maker Faire Louisville. GE Appliances builds products found in half of American homes, and it also supports makers right here at home through FirstBuild, its free community makerspace on UofL’s campus.
Makers To Check In Louisville (Besides All The Robots & Cool Wheels)
SuperKick74 LIVE: The Art of Phil Back and Steven Beezer
Illustrators Phil Back and Steven Beezer will draw and paint live, answering questions about drawing, comic books and digital art. Their exhibit will also include comics, art books, prints and original artwork.
Investigating the Contextual Nature of Organic Chemistry Students’ Modeling Knowledge
Makers are not only creating things to bring to Maker Faire, they are also working to improve how makers get there by working to understand and improve the process itself. U of L grad student Emma Drake asks, “What makes a scientific model good? And when do we change scientific models? This study investigates student conceptions of these questions.” She’ll be on hand to talk about how students’ ideas about models (epistemic modeling knowledge) related to the factors they considered when actually engaging in the practice of evaluating and changing a model. The findings: Students often considered different factors when discussing their ideas about models broadly versus when they actually engaged in modeling, providing instructional implications for how to support students in this skill. MORE.
Robots and Pixels
Mike Cotterman is a life long maker, software developer, and robotics enthusiast who enjoys building interactive projects that blend art, electronics, interesting interactions and software. He believes the best way to learn is by exploration and creation. In other words making things and learning how they work. Mehxel transforms glowing pixels into lasting memories! Design your own pixel art using an arcade joystick and buttons on a 16×16 neopixel display. When you’re finished, press Save and we’ll hand you a QR code that links to your artwork online where you can view and share it anytime. It’s a fun, hands-on blend of art, electronics, programming, LEDs, Raspberry Pi and a little maker magic. Watch for your creation on the big 64×64 pixels display built from 4,096 individually addressable neopixel LEDs celebrating artwork created on the Mehxel. Anyone can make something fun with pixel art! MORE.
LVL1 Power Tool Drag Racing
LVL1 is bringing the high-octane, kinetic theater of Power Tool Drag Racing for DIY racing fun! Instead of cars, we race modified power tools, dragging their power cords and bouncing down a wooden drag strip. The track has Arduino-powered sound effects, a real Christmas light tree countdown, and an electronic, wig-wag checkered flag “Win-Dicator” at the finish. You and your friend que up for your turn to race each other using our “house racers” (Harbor Freight belt sanders complete with your chosen Beanie Baby driver held on with velcro). Periodically, we interrupt the match racing for an exhibition run of our wild, custom builds powered by angle grinders, circular saws, and chainsaws for big laughs and high-wire thrills. It’s raw, hilarious, hillbilly geek fun from start to finish. WATCH IT IN ACTION
Things To Learn About: Electroplating and Sandcasting
Bronze balloon animals! LVL1 maker Robert Day will be sharing a an introduction to Electroplating and Electroforming in your home with Copper, Zinc, and Nickel. See how to take everyday objects and add a coating of decorative or protective metal to them. Make decorations, create jewelry, protect parts from rust and oxidation. Electroplating and Electroforming are easy processes to learn and are safe with precautions.
Sandcasting Metal is not something you get to try everyday. In this workshop you will learn the sand-casting process used to make jewelry, tools, and other items from molten metal. A hands-on demonstration will allow you to create your own mold and assist in casting your first piece. No prior knowledge of sand casting or jewelry making is necessary. Join Angela Cooper, an “Old Louisville Renaissance Woman” who seeks to master as many skills as possible before she dies. Among her crafting talents are silversmithing, crochet, embroidery, woodworking, sewing, sharpshooting, wood burning, carving, and pottery.
Sloppy Films Animation Station
Animator and teaching artist John Akre will work with visitors to create stop-motion animation using paper shapes, demonstrating how individual images and movements become an animated sequence.
ATTENDING MAKER FAIRE
Maker Faire Louisville will take place rain or shine. Free parking is available in lots near the venue, and the building is accessible. Exhibits and activities are designed for visitors of all ages.Join the fun Saturday, October 17, 2026 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.@ Engineering Student Success & Research Building, University of Louisville 201 Engineering Dr.
Admission is Free. No tickets or advance registration required. For more event information visit
louisville.makerfaire.com.
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