In a collaboration between Entrepreneurship and the Art 2 class, students explored the importance of a handmade object in an ever growing machine made society. ChiTech Handmade was an exploration in the development, making, marketing, pricing, and selling of handmade objects. Both the entrepreneurs and artists, through experimentation with materials, collaboratively created products that were aesthetically shelved into the transformed bookroom space for a one night “pop up” shop launch of ChiTech Handmade. In its second year, ChiTech Handmade was able to land a table at Vends + Vibes Art Marketplace, working next to fellow Southside artists.
“It was important to see our young artists and entrepreneurs gaining recognition for their handcrafted artworks and functional pieces. The launch of ChiTech Handmade was an act to bring awareness back to the process and the people that make handcrafted objects. As a society, we have been so far removed from the process of making objects, that we rarely think about what has gone into a well crafted object. ChiTech Handmade “pop up” shop allowed customers to interact, ask questions, and learn about the process of making from the artists, while also having the opportunity to purchase a one of a kind artwork or functional good . I believe ChiTech Handmade allowed our students to see potential in marketing and selling of their work, being supported for the work they love to make.”-Nicole Dudik, Visual Arts Teacher
“ Is there value in a handmade object? Yes, there is value in an object that is handmade. They hold a value that shows that you actually put your time and work into creating something that’s either for yourself or someone else. From the start of the project I believed that handmade objects hold value, and I continue to believe so. This project showed me the joy of selling my own artwork and the expression of a happy customer.”
“When selling art, one thing I noticed is if your work is in high demand, you shouldn’t stop selling your product. If you enjoy creating it, make multiple. That’s something I decided to do. I took orders and now I plan on creating multiple sets of coasters. Some will be the same as the first set I made and others will be by request. You can make multiple versions of your artwork and still keep your artistic individuality. Your artwork may look similar, but you’ll still be improving and each piece will show that improvement.” -Jasmine Aranda, Art 2 student
“Moving through this project has taught me new ways to view things and it also brought to my attention the struggles of being an artist holds. For example , not everyone will show interest in your piece because everyone has different taste and not many people will have the same as you. Another big struggle is not every piece will get sold because every piece has its own message it’s getting across and it all depends on what the buyer wants. But one thing I figured out is if their is quality and beauty in your project people will notice even if they don’t buy it.” -Rommel Royster, Art 2 student
“I feel that a handmade item is worth way more than something that a machine has made. The fact that a person took their time and energy to make it adds a sentimental element for the person that has made it. It can add a unique effect to the object. Not many people can say that they have a Yarn Chandelier. The money goes back to the person for close to what they made it for. Machines mass produce items and none of them are unique. With something being handmade its unique even if a person has made 200 no two are exactly alike.”-Robert Allen, Art 2 student