Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Capener.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Who doesn’t love a good community? I saw a gaping hole in our neighboring town of excitement and personality and knew I could do something about it. In 2014, Mermade Market was born. My goal was to create a pressure-free shopping/retail vibe featuring only small shops. No one around here is doing that. Highly curated…none of that crafty-homemade feel other shows showcase. It has evolved into more of an event with shopping, for all ages. There’s delicious food from trucks, free crafts & balloon animals for the kiddos, desserts to take home to your neighbor in the form of perfectly wrapped gifts. It started with 23 makers that left their shop space with us to sell for them, for three full days. Going into our 10th show in 2019, it has now grown to 100+ small shops that we LOVE.. and it just gets better & better! It’s twice a year, but we are adding a new show, different location, soon. That’s top secret.
Please tell us about your art.
I would only consider myself an artist in the sense that I have built Mermade Market from the ground up. It’s truly my baby. I think of it most hours of most days. How I can make it better and learn from our previous mistakes.. and how I can better serve the community by using this 3-day event. My message behind the market is to have something for people to look forward to. A gathering space to meet like-minded people and to showcase some pretty amazing work these makers do. Behind our screens, we only get a glimpse of the hard work people do day in and day out. Or the work they do when they get home from “work.” It’s really rewarding when you see customers’ actual bodies, roaming around the shops, “oohing” and “ahhing” over all the items laid before them.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Getting people to see their work in the flesh! I believe social media has played a role in this. You see it on your phone, you’ve seen it. If only it can be reversed! I also feel like the venues that showcase artists are too expensive and galleries taking 50% commission is old school and a change should be made.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
We post a lot on our instagram, www.instagram.com/mermademarket ..or our website www.mermademarket.com is always a good place if you are a maker yourself and are interested in participating!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mermademarket.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mermademarket
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mermademarketoc
Image Credit:
Ethan Precourt
Sarah Gizzi
Emily McAllister
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
