In the Studio with Instructor and Artist Maks Prykhodko
Today, we’re going In the Studio with instructor and artist Maks Prykhodko. Maks is the MakerSpace Manager at Chesapeake Arts Center.
Maks Prykhodko is a Ukrainian-born interdisciplinary artist, composer, fabricator, and maker. He began his professional career in music composition, pursuing a BFA at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Expanding his practice to electronics and interactive art, he became a part of the Milwaukee Makerspace, where he showed off his work at Maker Faire 2017. In 2018, Maks moved to Baltimore to pursue an MFA in Intermedia and Digital Arts at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His thesis, an interactive installation, was titled American Boy, and revolved around themes of immigration, childhood, and play. Maks is now a part of Chesapeake Arts Center, where he manages the Michael Stanley MakerSpace, while pursuing his musical and artistic career in his free time. Here’s some of his story:
Please tell me a little bit about yourself.
I was originally born in Ukraine, and I emigrated to the US in the early 2000s. During my teens, I became interested in music, and pursued a BFA in Music Composition and Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I gradually became interested in electronics and rapid prototyping technologies, and joined the Milwaukee Makerspace, where I learned how to laser cut and further extend my skills. I moved to Baltimore in 2018 to pursue an MFA in Intermedia and Digital Arts at UMBC, and completed my thesis in 2021. Now, I manage the MakerSpace at the CAC while continuing to work on art/music projects on the side.
What drew you into teaching?
I began teaching during my MFA program at UMBC and have continued to teach ever since. My mother is a guitar teacher, so I must have followed in her footsteps. What I love most about teaching is that "aha!" moment students get, when they realize just how competent and skilled they are. Transmitting knowledge is one part of teaching, but another is getting the student's mind buzzing with ideas. If I infected them with the excitement bug – I feel I've succeeded as a teacher.
Tell me about the classes you teach.
I primarily teach digital fabrication courses here at CAC, which includes the laser and vinyl cutter. At UMBC, I'm currently teaching two art courses, one focused on 2D art, and the other on 3D art.
What’s your favorite aspect of being an instructor at CAC?
My favorite aspect of being an instructor at CAC is working directly with and learning from the makers. The makers often have knowledge and skills I am unfamiliar with, and I love learning about their creative process and problem-solving strategies. In short, the makers teach me a great deal, and I become better for it.
What advice would you give students who may want to pursue a career as a Maker?
My advice for students who want to pursue a career as a maker is: always be curious, be willing to learn, and be willing to fail. I believe that a lot of creatives suffer from imposter syndrome, and it seriously holds them back. That paired with perfectionism and you've got a deadly combination. The way to overcome this is to not take making too seriously, practice letting go, and let the thing be what it wants to be. I often find what I'm making isn't at all what I think I'm making. It changes and morphs throughout the process, and that's good. It means I'm learning and adapting my ideas along the way. So, be flexible, and laugh in the face of your failures.
What else are you working on personally or professionally?
I'm currently working on ambient audio tapes that have been in the works for several years. I'm interested in self-generating systems, so I created a series of pieces that compose themselves based on parameters I have set up. I wanted to focus on warm ambient tones, soothing sounds, and to create a space for introspection and healing. I hope to finish and release the tapes sometime in the next year.
To learn more about Maks and his work, check him out on Instagram or on his website.
