Brandeis’ Craft Market returned to campus on Saturday Sept. 28 as booths of students and local artists populated the Fellows Garden. Pottery, keychains, crochet and illustrations showcased the unique skills of new and returning sellers. Though the event leadership recently changed to the Brandeis Art Club, the new forces behind it show that the community’s dedication to the arts is difficult to squash.

Before now, the Craft Market was led by Ingrid Schorr, the former director of Arts Engagement and Communications at the University. Unfortunately, the program has been discontinued, leaving student artists concerned for the future. Despite logistical challenges, the Craft Market returned for family and alumni weekend. Students like Angel Zhao ’25, who has sold illustrations at the market since her first  year at Brandeis, shared how “the transition process has been a little bit confusing” but she is “fortunate enough to still participate.” On the other hand, studio art major Tako Mikhelashvili ’26, who is selling pottery at the Craft Market for the first time, felt more optimistic. Mikhelashvili shared, “so far it’s going pretty good I think. The location is great … I think it’s a very good opportunity for students who are into arts and crafts to show the stuff that they make … and it gives them an opportunity to sell their stuff.”

With the end of Arts Engagement, the Art Club successfully took over and got the Craft Market running this year. Without the faculty structure and funding of Brandeis Arts Engagement, setup and artist applications have been more complicated compared to previous years. Nonetheless, the Art Club is supporting artists where Brandeis administrators seemed to have stopped. Hence, part of the market that cannot be ignored is the dedication and salesmanship of each individual artist. For instance,  Sam Pollock ’24, a senior graduating in December, started their Perler Bead business last fall after getting inspired by a community advisor event. This is their second time at the market after selling keychains, though they found that “the effort to output was not worth it.” This year, Pollock sees their new craft as “[their] way to destress.” “I love doing this, and I can make a lot of products,” they shared. 

Shelly Kidron ’24, who graduated last spring, is now using her “side hobby” of painting and drawing to open an Etsy shop. She originally gave out her illustrations as “gifts for friends,” with each painting “curated … to somebody’s personality.” Soon enough Kidron realized the potential of expanding to print copies, and has since run a booth at the Craft Market for the past three years. When asked why she returned to the Craft Market after graduating, Kidron said: “It’s just a great experience, and also I have other friends here that are selling … The Art Club also collaborated with me, invited me back, and it was such a big part of my personality and everything … It’s great reconnecting with alumni, it’s community.”

The end of the Brandeis Arts Engagement program has undoubtedly left many student artists feeling uneasy about the future of the arts at Brandeis. However, the support of student-led organizations such as the Art Club provides hope that creative arts at this university will continue to thrive.