Last weekend, the ARC joined communities across the world in celebrating America’s 250 years of independence through a day filled with technology, creativity, culture, and innovation. While the Freedom 250 celebration featured a variety of activities and experiences, one attraction invited visitors to step beyond the physical world and into a virtual one: the XR Lab Exhibition.
The exhibition showcased immersive environments and 3D models created by participants of ARC’s XR Lab program, giving visitors a chance to experience a digital world through virtual reality. By putting on a VR headset, guests could explore a collection of interactive objects and environments designed and built by the program’s participants over the course of the workshop.
The works on display reflected themes of American history, innovation, science, and popular culture. Visitors could examine participant-created 3D models including the Liberty Bell, an Abraham Lincoln bust, the Artemis II rocket, the Apollo 11 Command Module, a Polaroid camera, and other iconic objects that had been recreated for the virtual space.
The exhibition was the culmination of ARC’s XR Lab program, a three-week, project-based learning experience that introduced participants to the fundamentals of extended reality development. Using Unity 6, AI-supported 3D asset creation tools, and the Meta Quest VR platform, participants learned how to transform ideas into immersive digital experiences through a combination of theory and hands-on practice.
A special thank you goes to Dr. Nikola Stojanović, Lecturer of 3D Animation and Media at the Faculty of Electronic Engineering in Niš, whose mentorship made the program possible. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in 3D animation, multimedia, game development, and immersive technologies, Dr. Stojanović guided participants through the creative and technical processes required to build virtual worlds and interactive experiences.
The enthusiasm surrounding the exhibition was evident throughout the celebration. Visitors eagerly lined up for the opportunity to experience the projects firsthand, explore the virtual gallery, and discover what is possible when creativity meets emerging technology. The exhibition not only highlighted the work of the participants but also demonstrated how accessible immersive technologies are becoming for the next generation of creators.
For those unable to attend in person, a video demonstration accompanying this article offers a glimpse of the exhibition exactly as it appeared inside the VR headset, allowing viewers to experience the virtual gallery from the participant’s perspective.
The XR Lab Exhibition was more than a showcase of digital projects—it was a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and the creative potential of immersive technology, fitting perfectly within ARC’s broader Freedom 250 celebration.
