EMILY huizenga
(née smith), M. Des, BFA (Hons)
Educator, producer, and hands-on learning advocate, Emily Smith has devoted much of her time to fostering environments that encourage learning by making. She has been producing arts and culture programming since 2010 and has been in leadership roles in post-secondary industrial design and fashion education since 2018. Currently, Emily is Program Director of the Fashion and Jewellery programs at La Salle College Vancouver.
Emily is cofounder of the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire, Maker Foundation, and Vancouver Fibreshed. She has produced youth mentorship programs and field schools in partnership with Emily Carr University, Material Matters and Shumka Centre, Two Rivers Gallery, ITA BC (Maker Clubs), The Magic Trout Imaginarium, The River Market, Vancouver New Music, VIVO Media Arts Centre, and the Vancouver Parks Board. She has participated in the development of numerous Makerspaces at the community and post-secondary level, and continues to support creative learning environments throughout Vancouver.