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Each year, the Arts and Media Level 5 Communication class design and produce unique handcrafted items to sell to the NMIT community and beyond at an exciting market day. Design and Visual Arts Tutor, Stefan Hanspach, says that the event is a valuable opportunity for students to find an audience for their art and gain market experience.
“It’s a good real-world experience for learners to consider what would most appeal to market-goers," Stefan says. “From there they gain practical experience by learning everything that goes into a market, from producing handcrafted items to deadline to considering how they want to display them.”
First year student Amanda Yan says originality was her top priority when deciding what to make for the market.
“I have noticed that people who are drawn to markets value pieces that are original, things that no one else has,” Amanda says. “I'm making Polymer clay items, which consists of lighter cases and keychains shaped like humanoid figures that have unique features from each other, meaning that no two items are the same. I thought, ‘sure, people have made lighter cases before, but no one else has a lighter case like mine!’ I hope people who buy them as gifts feel the same — that they’re getting something totally unique.”
Although Amanda has taken part in markets before, drawing caricatures on the spot, this will be her first time selling physical items.
“Something I learnt is that selling homemade items takes a lot more time, thought and preparation.”
To manage the busy lead-up to market day, Amanda and her classmates have been leaning on teamwork.
"It’s been nice to have teammates in this experience, you're not handling the stress alone. We've developed a sense of patience with each other, balancing our decisions with how to work with and around each other.”
Amanda says that she and her classmates are looking forward to the market not only to gain practical experience, but to enjoy the spirit of the day—the joy of showcasing your art, the thrill of an item finding its new home, and the conversations that happen as people stop by to take a look.
Come along to support young creators, get a head start on your Christmas shopping, and discover one-of-a-kind items made by the next generation of tastemakers. You might just find your new favourite handmade treasure.
