Every Saturday, artists, local farmers and business owners gather at the Union Plaza to share their latest crafted art and products with the community. Additionally, the Downtown Artist and Farmers Market has also attracted UTEP alumni, allowing them to showcase their work in a broader spectrum, network with other professional artists and give back to the El Paso community.
“The farmers market is important for the community, because they provide an outlet at an artist’s price. The booth fees are affordable and it’s just a really good platform for fine artists to begin with,” said Sarahummingbird Johnsen, UTEP alumna.
Johnsen, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in painting and has participated in various local art markets, said that it takes a certain confidence and pride to sell artwork, but it has been a good place to practice.
“I assume many fine artists would like to find their work in gallery space with respectable meaningful prices on their work, but finding that here is hard to come by,” Johnsen said. “So, I think it’s a wonderful place to begin and grow. Farmer’s markets are all about roots, and I think it’s a place to find yourself and bloom, at least for me.”
Johnsen began by selling homemade fairy wings for about five years. Later, she transitioned to selling Día de los Muertos artwork, calendars and prints. However, it wasn’t until last year that she started selling her regular artwork and poetry books as well.
“The Artist and Farmers Market is very important for artists in our community, especially UTEP students,” said Elisa Lozano, graphic design major. “It gives students the opportunity to show their work to the community and to meet other artists in the region. The farmers market also has some good food, and every now and then, a band will play too. There should be more events like this around the city.”
While some like to showcase their art and make their name be heard, others like Aryk Gardea, former ceramics instructor, spend their free time to give back to the community at the market and educating young artists.
Gardea holds various workshops for children around the community under the pseudonym, Art Picnic. The workshops he hosts vary, from painting and ceramics to crafts. His upcoming workshop will feature bicycle-building, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 10.
Ricardo Velas, UTEP mass communication alumni and award-winning journalist is also a familiar face at the Artists and Farmers market. According to him, giving back to the community is important, but so is attracting young artists .
“We need to bring awareness on how much talent is here,” Velas said. “I think it’s very special that they help support the art market. At this point, the individuals who purchase an original piece of art become collectors, they begin to see art in a different perspective. They get to also talk to the artist, interact with them on what motivated their work.”
Velas said that the farmers market is a great way to motivate the younger generation and graduating artists since this provides them with a space to showcase their art.
Johnsen said that, thanks to her degree in art, she is able to be a part of many opportunities that come her way as an artist and meet people who share her same passion.
“Universities in general provide a massive melting pot of possibilities to pick from. They are important for youth, even when they may not know what they want to be or do with life,” Johnsen said. “The amount of perspective provided in meeting professors and intermingling with other people from all over the world and sharing in openness for knowledge, is profound.”
Lesly Limon may be reached at [email protected].
