This past Saturday, the Arts Village Association hosted a show and sale for student vendors. There were several vendors selling a variety of wares, such as prints, photos, keychains, ceramic dishes, blankets, crocheted animals, jewelry and homemade stickers. There was even a booth with a 3D printing machine and a booth selling baked goods.
Junior Sophie Del Mazo said, “It’s a really nice community opportunity and a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, just people-watching, hanging out with your friends and chatting with people. It can be hard if you’re not making sales, though, since you could have spent that time doing something else.”
Junior Eleanor Bostick said, “At UD, you have to market things to students that they feel like they already needed, or already wanted. This way, if they buy it from students, they’re helping out a fellow student and they also don’t have to pay for shipping.”
Often, student artists sell things like small-scale prints or dishes that students can easily transport. Religious art and rosaries are very popular.
Even so, it can be frustrating to determine how much product to bring or how to price it.
Del Mazo said, “I love meeting new people, but it can also be hard, because I’m trying to sell them things. We’re all college students, so excess cash is not abundant.”
Most students want to support their fellow students’ work, but paying a fair amount of money for the time and effort artists put into their craft can be expensive.
The event was well advertised (at least, as well advertised as something can be at UD). The rainy weather was perfect for staying indoors, sipping coffee and admiring the artwork. Junior Simone Mienerz organized the event with the Arts Village Association as another opportunity for artists to showcase their talents besides Prima Faira.
However, several of the vendors expressed concerns that Prima Faira may be done differently this year. Changes to the way it is operated could mean student artists don’t make as many sales.
On the other hand, changes could mean better sales and more attendance. The common opinion among the vendors was that there are not enough events at UD for student artists to sell their work.
It’s a lot of fun to see my fellow artists’ work and I wish there were more events to showcase the talent here at UD, even if it is not for selling. I would love to see a gallery for student work, or even temporary exhibits where students in the art classes hang their work around campus for a little while.
The Arts Village Association does incredible work to spark interest in the art department at UD, but even so, the Art Village sometimes feels isolated. If you didn’t get a chance to see student work this Saturday, make sure you head to the Mall for Prima Faira on April 26th!