The Evanston Art Center opened its annual Winter Arts and Craft Expo Friday. This pop-up holiday market features handmade, one-of-a-kind work from over 140 artisans, including ceramics, jewelry, paintings, metalwork and more.
Proceeds from the expo fund the Evanston Art Center’s continued education and outreach programs, Director of Development and Exhibitions Emma Rose Gudewicz said.
The expo runs a little differently from most other art markets, Gudewicz said. Each item at the market is barcoded, meaning artists don’t have to be physically present at the expo in order to sell their art.
“It really gives them the freedom to sell their work and help the art center and do the fundraising for us as well,” Gudewicz said.
The expo also offers a valuable space for local artists to promote their work and to publicize their names, she said.
Artist Renay Mandell has showcased her hand-crafted jewelry at the expo for the past 13 years. Mandell’s jewelry, made with chunky gemstones, pearls and vintage buttons, has become a fixture of the event.
Along with selling, Mandell said she looks forward to meeting and speaking with fellow artists and community members each year, as well as perusing the artwork on display.
“I always look to see what I can buy,” Mandell said. “There’s art, there’s paintings, there’s mixed media. There’s so much stuff here and so many beautiful gifts for the holidays.”
Ceramicist and Evanston Art Center student Jude Mahler also said she enjoys the community spirit that the expo fosters. Mahler, who started selling at last year’s expo, said joining the Center’s art community has introduced her to many new faces.
Mahler said everyone is generally very open to sharing their expertise.
Visitors can shop for a variety of unique products at the expo. The artwork is spread out on tables throughout the room, allowing shoppers to browse at their leisure.
For attendee Sarah Sollinger, the expo is a welcomed alternative to mass-produced holiday shopping.
“People spend a lot of money on Amazon and stuff like that,” Sollinger said. “But there’s clearly so much really interesting handmade work here, and you do so much better by the world by supporting it.”
The Winter Arts and Craft Expo will run daily through Dec. 20.
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