Application Period Closed
Our current Material Activation Lab is underway, and the application period has closed. Make sure to keep checking back for details on the next Lab. Remember, each Lab has a different theme, a different material focus, and different goals. So if this Lab didn't seem like a fit, the next one might be just what you're looking to be a part of.
As always, please reach out with any questions!
-The Public Thread Team
If you missed the M.A.L. presentation night on 10/30/25, you may view the presentation by clicking on the button below.
Lab Details Here
Material Activation Lab Goals
- Find creative solutions for our community’s denim waste.
- Build relationships with designers and artists across the community.
- Support local Artists/Designers financially and help raise awareness about their
- Test new upcycled product ideas and market solutions using upcycled textiles
Process
1) Attend an information session on
Thursday, October 30, from 6-8 pm at Public Thread.
2) Sign up for the challenge.
3) Application deadline is Friday, November 7, at 5 pm to participate.
4) By Wednesday, Nov 12, the top 20 will be announced and first payments ($100) will
be made. All jeans materials can be picked up at Public Thread starting today
until November 14.
5) Final showcase will be December 12 from 5-9 pm at Public Thread. The second
payment ($150) will be made to those who participate in the showcase.
Additional awards given out during the evening, as determined by the panel of
judges.
Legal/Fine Print
- The designs created through this Activation Lab will be co-branded with both the
Artist/Designer as the headliner and Public Thread as the collaborator. - Items that are made through the lab can be priced to sell based on their value, as
determined by the Artist. Whatever the sale price is, the Artist will receive 80% of
the sale price and 20% will go to Public Thread to support our work in the
community. - If a product is determined by the Artist and Public Thread to be a market ready
product and it goes to market, (manufactured by Public Thread, or the Artist), there will be a revenue sharing agreement created to determine the split of revenue appropriately between the two parties.
Catagories
- Accessories
- Art Avant Garde
- Home Goods
- Outerwear
- Apparel/Wearables
- Other
Awards
- Outstanding Young Designer - $200
- Market Ready - $200
- Most unique/new - $200
- Zero waste - $200
- Designer favorite overall - $200
Evaluation Criteria
- Quality
- Concept execution
- Story/POV
- Use of materials
- Visual interest
- Re-use of Jeans – A minimum of 50% of the submission is created from the
repurposed jeans.
Sponsors
Public Thread
955 Godfrey Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mon - Fri, Appointment Only
Saturday, Closed
Sunday, Closed
