UCF students gather around tables filled with colorful artworks outside the Visual Arts Building on Tuesday for the Art Club’s Art Market.
Mila Formica
UCF students gathered around tables filled with colorful artwork of all forms outside the Visual Arts Building on Tuesday afternoon for the Art Club’s Art Market, giving members a chance to sell their work and connect with other creatives.
The market hosted vendors selling handmade crafts, prints, stickers and more. The event gives students studying different media to connect and profit from their creativity.
Art Club President Madeline Bailey, senior studio art major, said she sells a mix of her original artwork, including stickers, prints and keychains.
“I have key chains and stickers also for fandoms, and I also do commissions,” Bailey said.
For many vendors, the Art Market is about more than just selling art. Vendors get a chance to share their creativity, connect with other students who share similar passions and gain real-world experience showcasing their work in a supportive environment.
One of the market’s vendors, Hailey Maggio, sophomore pending emerging media major, said the event gives her an outlet to share her work with the community.
“I love when people stop at my table and ask me about my stuff or when I get to talk to other vendors,” Maggio said. “It’s a fun way to connect with people and get your art out there.”
Art Club Secretary June Garcia, junior pending emerging media major, helped to coordinate vendors for the market and said the balance is a dance between accessibility and logistics.
“I usually try to fit as many people here as possible because I want everybody to have the chance to sell,” Garcia said. “But I’m also careful not to overpack the small space.”
Garcia said the market has grown significantly over the years, both in size and popularity. She said the event used to have just two tables, whereas now they welcome about 30 vendors.
She said the market has been around since 2019, growing from a small student-run idea into a large, recurring event.
Garcia said the event happens every other week, alternating between Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
“Historically, we’ve had them every other Wednesday,” Garcia said. “This semester, we decided to have two dates so that people who have class or conflicts can still sell or browse the market.”
Garcia manages her responsibilities as an organizer and her passion as an artist by selling her artwork at the market. Garcia said she enjoys fostering the creative energy while being able to connect with customers and vendors.
“I sell mostly prints, and I do little doodle commissions here,” Garcia said. “I kind of use this market as a small way to make back money and just relax.”
Garcia said small, affordable items tend to sell best at the market as students look for pieces that are personal and portable. She said many customers buy artwork that brightens up their spaces.
“Little prints and stickers sell quicker because that is what sets us different from other markets,” Garcia said. “People want to decorate their empty dorms or put stickers on their laptops and water bottles.”
Vendor Annalisa Strub, senior studio art major, said she sells prints and ceramics that reflect her personal style. She said her art allows her to show her creative process and represent her individuality.
“My work is very abstract, and I focus a lot on line and color, but most of my colors are just pink,” Strub said. “It’s just pretty and aesthetic, the way that I like to draw.”
Strub said joining the Art Market was a pathway to finding a sense of community in the field, where students are not only genuine and encouraging but also excited to see what others create.
“I’ve sold at other markets before, so I felt comfortable with that community, but this one feels original and, to me, that means art is really important in people’s minds,” Strub said. “It makes me happy to see that.”
Strub said students at the market tend to enjoy more character-driven pieces, like her ceramics, because they are different from what others are selling at the market.
Strub said she finds it meaningful to see students support other artists and handmade work, especially at a time when she said she’s seen AI art become more popular.
“I’m worried about AI art,” Strub said. “My friends say that half of the TikTok videos they see are AI, and it’s kind of freaky, but I’m just glad that people appreciate art from actual artists.”
Kiera Friedman, junior emerging media animation and visualization major, said she appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and creativity on display. Friedman liked seeing other people get to show off their hard work while building relationships.
“I’ve always been the artsy kid, so it’s cool to see so many other weird art kids all together and getting to bond and share their interests with everyone,” Friedman said.
Ellie Scott, junior health science major, said she was walking around campus when she came across the market. She said she was drawn in by the vibrant artworks set outside on the booths and decided to stop and shop for crochet animals.
“I think it’s really cool that they make their art completely from scratch,” Scott said. “It feels more personal and artistic compared to other markets where people just resell thrifted items.”
With the artists having the opportunity to showcase their artwork, it has created different types of bonds between people at the market to grow and appreciate each other’s work.
“I can tell they’re passionate about what they do, so I respect them a lot,” Bucknavage said. “I can really appreciate the hard work that they put into it, and I can definitely feel it when I buy their stuff.”