What’s in G3’s bag? A little piece of Guam heads to SACNAS
By Riyo Anne Reyes, REEF intern
From delicate orchids and tropical fruits to coconut crabs and seashells, a little piece of Guam is making its way across the Pacific.
The Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub is bringing a collection of locally made, island-inspired creations to the 2026 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conference in Long Beach, California, showcasing the island’s creativity, culture and commitment to sustainability.
For G3 Makerspace Circular Economy Coordinator Abby Crain, the conference offers an opportunity to share Guam’s unique identity with people from different cultural backgrounds through art and innovation at the SACNAS Cultural & indigenous Marketplace.
“Really, it’s just to highlight these different cultures that are represented in this, that are minorities in the STEM world,” Crain said.
The marketplace brings together artists and creators from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Native American jewelry and fiber artists, as well as representatives from Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
While G3 Makerspace has traditionally contributed giveaways to the conference, this year marks its second time participating in the marketplace
Among the creations making the journey are hand-carved stamps featuring Guam’s flora and fauna, including orchids, papayas, lemmai, calamansi, coconut crabs and seashells. The intricate designs, some of which take hours to carve, are printed onto cotton tote bags and pouches by G3 staff and interns.
One collection of orchid-inspired stamps even began as a friendly challenge among team members, each putting their own creative spin on the tropical flower.
“It’s just a nice way to share Guam and the things that make Guam beautiful with other cultures there,” Crain said.
But the Makerspace’s creations go beyond their island-inspired designs.
With sustainability at the heart of its mission, G3 incorporates stamp-making into its classes, teaching participants how to use the technique to transform everyday clothing.
“They’re able to re-stamp it and make it something that’s old, new again,” Crain said. “And that’s really our ethos here.”
Alongside the hand-stamped textiles, G3 will showcase 3D-printed ornaments featuring animals and Guam-inspired designs, as well as embroidered hats with playful phrases such as “STEMinist” and “Indigenous AF.”
The collection will also feature creations from local vendors, including polymer clay jewelry inspired by island fruits and plants from Rai Rose Rue, shell jewelry from Sirena Soul, and books published by the University of Guam Press.
“We’re hoping that since it’s in Long Beach and California, there is a heavy Guam population there,” Crain said. “And so we’re really hoping to see this year some more Marianas representation that will be excited to see some of our stuff.”
From hours spent carving intricate stamps to transforming everyday materials into island-inspired keepsakes, each creation offers a glimpse into the creativity and resourcefulness found on Guam.
And this time, those little pieces of home are traveling thousands of miles to tell the island’s story.