Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Studio Cosplay Press Release


As received...

PRESS RELEASE

Studio Cosplay Breaks New Ground With Cosplay Makerspace

 

Fairfax, VA -- Studio Cosplay, a Washington DC area-based non-profit, is changing the world of cosplay and makerspaces. In 2015 it plans to offer the best of both worlds by opening the first community workshop by cosplayers for cosplayers.  "Cosplay" is an increasingly popular art form combining costuming and role-playing, often seen at sci fi, comic book, and pop culture conventions worldwide.

To help these pop culture fans transform into their favorite characters the workshop will provide multiple stations catering to making and displaying costumes, armor, and props. The types of equipment provided will include sewing, painting, fabricating, wig styling, 3D printing and more.  Since sharing photos of one's creation is a significant component of cosplay, photographers will also have the use of a green screen.

With multiple stations catering to making and displaying costumes, armor, and props, the types of equipment provided will include sewing, painting, fabricating, wig styling, 3D printing and more.  Photographers will also have the use of a green screen.

The studio will offer hands-on classes for cosplayers across all skill levels, ranging from sewing to photo shoots to working with thermoplastics.

"Cosplay has not only allowed my artistic expression to flourish but the people I have met through cosplaying are more than just friends; they are family," says Liz Gmaz, a founding member of the organization.  "Studio Cosplay is going to be a home for cosplayers. In a way, to me, cosplay means Ohana."

The group also provides emergency repair support at fandom conventions nationwide, most recently a big hit at Katsucon, where members can glue up, stitch up, finish up, and rest up before diving back into the crowd. 

To meet the needs of interested cosplayers and to fund subsequent years of operation the organization will offer multiple "cosmakerspace" membership tiers.

Studio Cosplay's mission is to promote community through the art of costuming by providing workspace, opportunity, and education.  The organization's founders, Liz Gmaz, Stefanie Hackenberg, Sabrina Maizland and Daria Medved, are themselves cosplayers who saw a need in the cosplay community for a place where cosplayers can go to work on their projects, meet other cosplayers, learn how to make costumes and props, and expand their artistic expression.  Their Kickstarter campaign to cover the workshop's first year of expenses launched successfully in mid-February and was an immediate Kickstarter Staff Pick.  The campaign closes on March 15th and the team only needs to raise 33% of the remaining funds in that time.  Once the first workshop is successfully established Studio Cosplay plans to expand to other geographies, so even people outside of the DC area have a vested interest in helping the Kickstarter to succeed.  People interested in backing the project can go to: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/6846446/studio-cosplay-a-makerspace-by-cosplayers-for-cosp


For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Studio Cosplay at:

www.studiocosplay.org

https://www.facebook.com/studiocosplay

https://twitter.com/Studio_Cosplay
contactus@studiocosplay.org

405-227-8202

 


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