Spring Into Dutchess Handmade
For a gift that’s truly special, head in to Dutchess Handmade Spring Pop-Up Shop to find an assortment of products made by artists in the Hudson Valley. The shop made its spring debut on April 27th, and will close off this season on May 19th.
The shop has grown from its beginnings back in 2014 as a result of the efforts put forth by the Arts Mid-Hudson team. More and more artists have started to take part, which resulted in 70 artists featuring their work in the recent Holiday Shop that was open in November and December of last year. In order to sustain more pieces, the shop itself also needed to enlarge, and now takes up more of the Arts Mid-Hudson office space. Well crafted pieces can be found lining the walls, and covering the shelves and tables in the shop. The team has added even more into the mix, such as Book Signing events with literary artists in the community.
“Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop has locally made glass, jewelry, greeting cards, textiles, ceramics, prints, paintings, home decorating items and more. There are items for everyone,” said Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, the Marketing & Development Coordinator at Arts Mid-Hudson.
To prepare for the Dutchess Handmade Spring Pop-Up Shop, planning starts months in advance. Applications are announced to artists who are interested in featuring their work. Along with contact information and details about their work, artists are asked to submit visuals of their pieces, whether it be through photos or a website. After a team looks over each artist and their work, pieces are chosen and the selected artists are able to drop off their work to the shop. After all the pieces to be sold are collected, the Arts Mid-Hudson team then carefully organizes the shop in a few days’ time.
With Dutchess Handmade in full swing, it’s easy to see that there are many benefits of supporting local artists. They are central to the community, as they help to strengthen the local economy and aid the increase in tourism. In their work they foster a sense of the place in which they are from, and exhibit it through the pieces they produce. It’s an all around benefit to support local artists, and Dutchess Handmade makes it easier for customers to do so.
“Aside from the fact that it’s really nice for people in the same community to come together for something positive; I think it’s a great way to keep art alive in today’s world that values net worth over individuality,” said Cara Sebest, a student artist in the community. With one art show under her belt and number of artists to look up to, she vouches for the importance of supporting and buying local.
Make sure to check out Arts Mid-Hudson’s website and social pages to get the latest updates on the Dutchess Handmade, and so much more. There’s a bit more time to get last minute Mother’s Day and graduation gifts, so stop by Dutchess Handmade Spring Pop-Up Shop to find something special!
