Leo Smolinski is a high school senior attending both James Hillhouse High School and ACES Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven. He has been an apprentice at the Eli Whitney Museum for four years. Leo is a mixed-media artist who explores film, painting, clothing design and textile arts. He is very excited to debut his fashion work in the Rescued Runway. He has been an apprentice at the Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop for 5 years. 

RACHEL ALDERMAN (Director, Teaching Artist) (she/her) is a director, producer and co-creator of theater experiences - fiercely committed to building ensemble onstage and off. Rachel has held senior leadership positions at Long Wharf Theatre and Hartford Stage, and she is a founding ensemble member of the award-winning A Broken Umbrella Theatre with whom she has collectively devised original, site-specific theater inspired by the history of New Haven, CT.

Hi! I’m a college student majoring in Product Design with a strong focus on how hands-on and digital making work together. I enjoy turning ideas into physical outcomes through experimentation, iteration, and precise execution. I emphasize the history behind different processes, confidence with tools, and creating thoughtful design decisions. 

Devin is a Junior at Hamden High and has been an Apprentice at Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop since 8th grade. He loves going out into nature and has been hiking throughout Connecticut since the age of five. Devin loves camping, fishing, and searching for local wildlife.