The Made in NYC: Meet the Makers series celebrates the brilliance, resilience, and innovation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color entrepreneurs who are manufacturing right here in New York City. This body of work centers BIPOC-owned businesses and makers who are quite literally building their dreams—often against steep odds—within one of the most expensive and competitive cities in the world.
Made in NYC visited members in their own production spaces, ranging from apartment workrooms to expansive industrial facilities. Rather than asking makers to step into a photography studio, we met them where they are—inside the environments where their ideas take physical form. These spaces tell stories of ingenuity: kitchen tables transformed into assembly lines, shared warehouses humming with collaboration, and carefully organized studios where art and production coexist.
Photographer Jae Grumulaitis captures the intimacy and intensity of these manufacturing moments—hands tossing cabbage in kimchi paste, glass being soldered, fabric pulled taut, candle wax melting. Each portrait reflects not only the maker, but also the ecosystem of labor, culture, and community that sustains them.
Through in-depth interviews, Kayla Shifter documents how these entrepreneurs began their journeys, how they transformed passion into productivity, and what it truly means to “make it” in New York City—literally and figuratively.
Artist Bios
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Jae Grumulaitis
Jae Grumulaitis (b. Houston, TX) is an artist who works with photography, video, installation, and sculpture. She currently lives and works in Philadelphia, PA. Jae received her BFA from Pratt Institute, during which time she began her ongoing five year collaboration with Made in NYC. Throughout her time with Made in NYC, she photographed over 100 makers’ spaces, and was an instructor for the MINYC Product and Lifestyle programs. Recently selected exhibitions and installations include: A Constituent Hum of a Thing that Fades, Singers, Brooklyn (2025); From Another Source, Study Hall Gallery, Munson, NY (2024); UNOFIVEDOS: Dynamic Structures are never linear, Radio28, CDMX (2023); Temporal Mapping, Gravity Gallery, North Adams (2023); Aqua Art Miami, SHIM Art Network, Miami (2023); and Desire Has No History, Pratt Institute ARC Gallery, New York City (2022). Recent residencies have been held at 28CS Residency in Mexico City (2023), and the Walkaway House Residency in North Adams (2023).
Organizations
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Pratt Center for Community Development
Made in NYC is an initiative of the Pratt Center for Community Development, a community-based planning and policy advocacy organization that works for a more just and sustainable New York City in partnership with community-based groups, small businesses, and the public sector. Pratt Center is a part of Pratt Institute.
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Made in NYC
Made in NYC is a nonprofit initiative that supports local manufacturers and makers in New York City.
Made in NYC works towards a more equitable and sustainable local manufacturing sector that creates quality jobs, supports BIPOC entrepreneurs and workers, fosters creativity, and nurtures a thriving ecosystem of goods made and consumed locally.
Launched in 2003, Made in NYC is currently a community of over 2,000 New York City makers and manufacturers. Made in NYC membership is free and gives businesses access to all programs, services, platforms and resources. Nearly 70% of new members since 2018 self-identify as BIPOC- and/or Women-owned businesses.
Made in NYC is an initiative of the Pratt Center for Community Development, a community-based planning and policy advocacy organization that works for a more just and sustainable New York City in partnership with community-based groups, small businesses, and the public sector. Pratt Center is a part of Pratt Institute.
Made in NYC: Meet the Makers
Featuring: Jae Grumulaitis
Curated by: Kayla Shifter Taylor Novick-Finder
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
