Trinity Art Collective’s bi-annual art market is just around the corner. Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, student artists will sell their prints, jewelry, plushies and so much more by the Magic Stones. There are many artists who participate in the event, creating art ranging from caricatures to bone art, and a few artists spoke with the Trinitonian about their preparations.
Olive Irons, senior environmental studies and anthropology double-major, is most notably a sculptor. Her artwork includes glass paintings, resin sculptures, bone art and Beanie Babies taxidermy with prices ranging from $5 to $90. She makes Beanie Baby taxidermy art out of the beloved toys in various poses and outfits. Irons said her Beanie Babies art is akin to TikTok artist @chaoticartco. Her most expensive piece is a mounted boar skull ($90). She loves talking to anyone who comes to her booth and answering questions about her art.
Anthonia Ogbo, junior psychology and Spanish major, crocheted star-shaped bags ($35), a giant Miffy Plushie ($30), plants ($15) and key chains ($10) for this year’s market. She recently started making beaded Amigurumi keychains ($12) and will also be doing sketch commissions ($1). She said that she looks forward to showcasing her art to her fellow students.
Anakin Becker, sophomore environmental studies major, is another crocheter who has created plushies ($12), charms ($5-10) and clothes ($60-70) for this week’s event. They will be selling tops in size small, but Becker is working on making larger sizes and creating a more inclusive line of clothing. While all the crochet vendors sell different items, one special way that Becker said they are differentiating their stall from others is by raffling off a large crocheted tiger for $3 a ticket.
Even though the art market happens twice a year, there are some tips and tricks to keep in mind beyond standard shopping etiquette according to Becker.
“For people coming to the art market, set yourself a budget,” Becker said. “If I see enough that I want, I will end up spending way too much money. But at the same time, be generous with your budget as well, because they are handcrafted things that only come around once a semester.”
Most of the artists bring premade handcrafted goods to their booths, but Marina Martinez-Tudela, first-year English major, said she will be making her art on the spot. She created caricatures at the last art market and was a vendor at the Women’s History Month Fair. She said she is keeping her prices consistent and affordable by charging $5 per person for line art. If people want color for their cartoon, then the price is raised to $7 per person. She will also be drawing caricatures of Trinicats or personal pets upon request.
For students unable to financially support the artists, Martinez-Tudela said that just by talking to them and asking about the wares at their booths is enough. She explained that people should feel welcome to look around, and that awareness is another way to support the artists and their work.
“I would say at least take a look around to see what there is, and if you end up not wanting to buy anything, that’s cool, but at least you went and saw what they had,” Martinez-Tudela said.
