Support artists this Artist Sunday!

Monday Nov 15th, 2021

maker market recapArtboard 1

Erie Arts & Culture and our collaborating partners, Erie Downtown Partnership and PG&H, hosted the first annual Western Pennsylvania Maker Market on Nov 6, 2021. We welcomed 30 maker-vendors from Erie to Pittsburgh. The amount of community support we received far exceeded my expectations, as we had steady traffic in Perry Square throughout the morning and afternoon.

2/3 of the vendors we worked with for this market had not previously participated in a market in Downtown Erie. Thanks to support from our sponsors, PG&H, FirstEnergy through the First Energy Foundation, Great Lakes Insurance, Whitethorn Games, Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., and ImagineAR, we were able to remove barriers that can prevent participation. We had no vendor or application fees and we provided tents, tables, and chairs for the vendors.

Additionally, this market was about connecting creative small businesses to resources. The NWPA Innovation Beehive Network was on site and they connected with small businesses owners to tell them about the free capacity building services they offer. We were also able to promote funding mechanisms like the new Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grant that EAC is administering for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, as well as the Creative Entrepreneur Grant offered through the Erie County Redevelopment Authority.

  

For Artist Sunday 2021, we encourage you to check out the list of vendors and their websites below. Additionally, the Northwest Pennsylvania Art Association (NPAA) launched a webstore featuring the work of artists living and working in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Please consider supporting regional artists today and for the duration of the holiday season!

 

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We hosted 30+ vendors.

"I can't overstate how thrilled I am with how everything went! Tons of foot traffic, great energy, and a real sense of community. Events like this one are what make people want to stay in Erie. I'd love to see these happen on a semi-regular basis throughout the year, both as a prospective vendor and as someone who likes to shop small. Also, having tents, tables, and chairs available was a huge, HUGE load lightener. " - Erin Yates

"This was a very successful event on every level. The makers (vendors) in attendance had incredible items to show, talk about, and sell. The weather cooperated. If it had rained, I would not have attended as my products are paper. The music, speakers, and performers were on point. I had such incredible conversations with people about my work and books in general. A partnership was started with a woodworker on future projects. While I didn't need tables, chairs, or a tent, the fact that they were an option is incredible for those who didn't have those items. A definite plus to this event. I appreciate everything the organizers have done and all the help that was available setting up for the event. Thank you all." - Kranz Book Bindery

"Having the Beehive Network and other resources walk around to the vendors was a great idea!" - North Coast Pennants

16 vendors completed our post-market survey and indicated that they collectively experienced $6,500 - $12,000 in sales for the day.

Other feedback from the 16 vendors who completed our survey:

100% vendors stated that the event exceeded their expectations.

94% vendors indicated that they created  connections with other makers, and found value in networking with other regional makers.

100% vendors indicated that they made connections with individuals who may not have made a purchase at the market but that you believe may become a future customer.

 

 

List of Makers and their online shops

Ansumana Komba Gbembo
[email protected]
Erie, PA

Blair Mead
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.blairmead.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blairmeaddesigns/

Bryan Geary Design
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.instagram.com/brygearydesigns

Clark Morelia
[email protected]
Pittsburgh, PA
https://clarkmorelia.com/
https://www.instagram.com/clarkmorelia/

Daggerfish Gear
[email protected]
Pittsburgh, PA
daggerfishgear.com
https://www.instagram.com/daggerfishgear/

Drawings by Request
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.instagram.com/drawingsbyrequest/

Esther's Pinata Shop
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.instagram.com/estherspinatashop

Flagship City Press
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://flagshipcitypress.com
https://www.instagram.com/flagshipcitypress/

Grounded Print + Paper Studio
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.groundedprintshop.com
https://www.instagram.com/groundedprintshop

Jessie Simmons
[email protected]
Erie, PA

Kat Charnley
[email protected]
Edinboro, PA
https://www.kathleencharnley.com/shop
https://www.instagram.com/katzprints/

Kimberlyn Bloise Cerarmics
[email protected]
Edinboro, PA
https://kimberlynbloise.com
https://www.instagram.com/kimberlynbloiseceramics/


Kranz Book Bindery
[email protected]
Erie, PA
http://www.kranzbooks.com
https://www.instagram.com/kranzbooks/

Mak.O Designs
[email protected]
Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.makenzieoconnor.com
https://www.instagram.com/kenzioconnor/

Melancholy Brand
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://melancholybrand.bigcartel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/melancholy_brand/

North Coast Pennants
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://instagram.com/northcoastpennants

Peggy Quinn Clay Studio
[email protected]
East Springfield, PA
http://www.peggyquinnclaystudio.com

Rebel Bred Clothing
[email protected]
Pittsburgh, PA
https://rebel-bred-clothing.com/collections/shop-all
https://www.instagram.com/rebelbredclothing/

Rope and Bloom Macrame
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RopeandBloomMacrame
https://www.instagram.com/ropeandbloommacrame

Simple Lines
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.instagram.com/simple_lines/

The Copper Twig
[email protected]
Erie, PA https://www.etsy.com/shop/coppertwiggallery
https://www.instagram.com/thecoppertwig/

Urban Tree
[email protected]
Pittsburgh, PA http://www.pittsburghurbantree.com
https://www.instagram.com/pittsburghurbantree/

Void Boy
[email protected]
Edinboro, PA
http://voidboy.art/
https://www.instagram.com/voidboy.art/

Yerace Glass Studio
[email protected]
Erie, PA
http://www.yeraceglass.com/
https://www.instagram.com/yerace_glass/

Piquant
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.etsy.com/shop/shoppiquant/
https://www.instagram.com/shop_piquant/

Broken Egg Clay
[email protected]
Erie, PA
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrokenEGGClay
https://www.instagram.com/broken_egg_clay/

Erie Arts & Culture

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