Behind the Booths

Behind the Booths

Digital media and visual students prepare to sell their work at the Artist Market

The annual Artist Market, put together by the digital media and visual departments, creates opportunities for student artists to sell their creations to the public and helps the departments raise funds, with the departments receiving 20% of each individual’s profit. Held in CityPlace on Nov. 9, students will have tables and tents set out from noon to 6 p.m. where attendees can purchase their work, including jewelry, paintings, and photos. 

Mia Bouyea

Digital media sophomore Mia Bouyea sold her work at the Artist Market her freshman year and was accepted to be a vendor again this year. Last year, Bouyea offered a variety of art pieces at the Artist Market. These pieces included her own “beachy-themed” photo prints, stickers, and bracelets, which she plans to sell again this year. Bouyea sees the Artist Market as a chance to “network” with other artists and potential buyers. 

“It was a good experience to get to talk to other people who were in the business,” Bouyea said. “I met a lot of photographers and other artists who were local, and I was able to talk with them and connect.”

As president of the Coastal Conservation Crew (CCC) at Dreyfoos, Bouyea has always “loved the ocean,” and it's reflected in her art, such as last year when she created stickers in the shape of shells and prints of oceanfront views. 

“I feel like all of my friends and everyone who knows me knows that (I love the ocean),” Bouyea said.

Her work is available on her website miabouyea.com and her art-dedicated Instagram account @mia_bouyea.

Last year, Bouyea had the support from her mom to help finance this event, which Bouyea “really wanted to try.” With the Artist Market nearing, Bouyea hopes to make a profit, with plans to repay her mom and save up for a trip to Iceland. 

Sophia Lopez

Visual junior Sophia Lopez participated in the Artist Market her freshman and sophomore years and was accepted to participate this year as well. Lopez plans to sell prints and paintings at the Artist Market.

Lopez has found that the Artist Market and the preparation leading up to it has forced her to manage her time better so she has the materials ready by the time the Artist Market rolls around.

“I make a plan for the stuff that I want to make and the amount (I want to make) for each, and then I give myself timeframes for that,” Lopez said. ”Then I usually start by taking any reference photos that I might need.”

Lopez said she recognizes the importance of the Artist Market for teen artists, as it allows them to expose more people to their artwork.

“I think it's great because it helps young artists who want to have a profession in art learn what a market is and how to sell their art,” Lopez said. “I think it helps a little bit with time management too because you have to make enough pieces to sell.”

Thomas Diaz

Visual senior Thomas Diaz sold his own hand-painted t-shirts at the Artist Market his sophomore year. However, due to the amount of time it took to create these t-shirts, Diaz priced them “really high” and wasn't able to sell as many as he wanted. This year, looking for a way to make more of a profit, he has decided to create something new.

“I'm going to make hand-painted birthday cards,” Diaz said. “I haven't started making them yet, but I don't want to make too many because you never know what's going to sell.”

The Artist Market also serves as a time for students to work together with other artists. 

“Although (the Artist Market) is a lot of work, I think getting the opportunity to not only sell your art but also to have a sense of community with other people in the visual arts and digital (media) departments is cool,” Diaz said. “(It) gives me a sense of purpose in the department.”

He plans to make and sell around 20 birthday cards at the Artist Market and put the profit back into his art.

Jeslyn Ng

Visual senior Jesyln Ng is participating in her third Artist Market. Selling tote bags, prints, hair clips, and more, Ng will have a variety of artwork at the market.

“I continue to do the Artist Market since it’s a great opportunity to promote my art in the local community as well as allowing others to enjoy my creations,” Ng said.

Preparing for the Artist Market involves “a lot of planning” as artists have to strategize how they will create enough work by Nov. 9. 

“We have to pre-order or pre-make these items specifically for the Artist Market,” Ng said. “Another challenge (is) the ways of receiving money, whether that is through digital payments or in cash.”

Ng said her favorite part is the process of creating and setting up her booth for the market. Ng also markets her items through her Instagram page, @jesboba, where she advertises her art including posting previously sold and currently available pieces.

Ng said, “My favorite part is the community there, the drive the students have to come and see everybody's work, and enjoying the experience of sharing each other's art.”

Behind the Booths was the first story I wrote my junior year. This story presented a problem I hadn't faced before; I now had to balance being an editor, and a writer. Thankfully, I was able to do it successfully. The one problem that I could address next time is trying to get more quote diversity, as most of the interviewees gave me very similar quotes which makes the story uniteresting. I also should've pushed more in my interviews to find information that wasn't so obvious after a few questions.