Exploring the new frontier of 3D storytelling with THREE.js, where art becomes an interactive journey. Through collaboration and innovation, we’re shaping digital environments that invite viewers to step inside and experience the story in a whole new way.
This week, we’re stepping into a new frontier of art creation—3D storytelling. As artists, we’re often looking for ways to make our work more dynamic, interactive, and alive. With THREE.js, we’re learning how to create digital environments where the viewer isn’t just a passive observer, but an active participant in the experience. This isn’t just about rendering images in 3D—it’s about crafting spaces where the art surrounds you, engages you, and invites you to explore.
In traditional arts, such as theater, film, and literature, the audience typically consumes a static form of content. However, in this project, the audience will be invited to co-create the art with AI by interacting with the narrative, influencing the environment, and experiencing the story in a way that is personalized to them. This interaction is intended to deepen the emotional connection a viewer has with the work while highlighting the artistic value of immersive and interactive experiences. The ability to shape a story or environment through user input reflects a more democratic form of art, where an artist’s work is open to interpretation and collaboration. We want to explore how these approaches can blur the lines between creator and audience, transforming a typical virtual gallery from a static exhibition space into a living artwork.
From a professional development perspective, this project is allowing for the development of essential skills in digital arts, particularly in virtual environments, interactive storytelling, and AI integration. The combination of programming with creative storytelling is increasingly important for modern digital artists, and this project provides a platform for exploring new ways of blending these disciplines. It also emphasizes the value of immersive technology—such as 3D graphics, lighting design, audio narration, music and real-time narrative control—in enhancing artistic experiences. These are the skills that will drive the future of virtual galleries, games, and other interactive digital experiences, where users are not just passive observers but active participants in an unfolding story.
In learning to bring 3D models to life, we’re diving into a new dimension of storytelling. The beauty of this tool is that it enables us to design and manipulate virtual spaces that feel as real and as interactive as any physical space. Through peer-to-peer learning, we’ve been sharing tips, solving problems, and bouncing ideas off each other. As we discover how to create responsive environments and control lighting, textures, and movement, we’re not just gaining technical skills; we’re learning to think about art in an entirely new way. This process is about more than just code; it’s about reimagining how we can use technology to tell deeper, more engaging stories that evolve in real time.
About our Winter 2025 program
Our fall and winter 2025 program in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is focused on exploring the intersection of digital skills, storytelling, creative entrepreneurship, and leadership in the arts. We’re dedicated to equipping artists with the tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving digital landscape, empowering them to bring their creative visions to life in new, innovative ways. This program is a space for collaboration and growth, where artists can sharpen their digital skills, explore the potential of emerging technologies, and build the leadership capabilities needed to drive their own creative ventures forward. This year’s program activities are supported by the OpenAI Researcher Access Program and the Manitoba Arts Council.
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