The Arts Council of Park City & Summit County is already planning for the holidays.
The nonprofit that advocates for and supports the local creative community seeks artists and artisan entrepreneurs for its upcoming CREATE PC Holiday Makers Market that opens Nov. 21 and runs through the end of January.
“This is one of our favorite events of the year, and we hope to get some new people involved,” said Executive Director Jocelyn Scudder. “The goal is to host this unique creative marketplace of talent that exhibits in Summit County.”
Any creative entrepreneur who lives in Summit County is eligible to apply, and a participation fee of $125 is required. The application is accessible online at pcscarts.org, and the deadline is Oct. 24.
“The number of selected participants differs from year to year,” Scudder said. “In the past we’ve had upwards of 70, and last year we had between 50 and 60.”
The biggest constraint is space, which will be provided by the Arts Council’s brick-and-mortar home at 1500 Kearns Blvd.
“When we review applicants, we do take that into consideration,” Scudder said. “Some makers who apply say those who sell lip gloss won’t take up much square footage. So, we tend to accept more than we think we can because there is such a wide variety of products that are submitted.”
The wide variety ensures a “vibrant and packed space where people can find almost anything,” Scudder said.
One thing that sets the CREATE PC Holiday Makers Market aside from other similar experiences is the model, which takes a lot of burden off of the artists and artisans, according to Scudder.
“A lot of these types of markets will pop up and are mostly associated with booth spaces where people have to be there in person to represent and sell their goods,” she said. “But we sell the works on consignment. So, a ceramicist will give us an inventory of 25 pieces of pottery, and we’ll sell these pieces on behalf of the artists.”
The creators will pocket 85% of the money, while the Arts Council gets 15% for overhead, Scudder said.
“The main beneficiary is meant to be the artists,” she said. “And if the items are made here, then they qualify to be in the show.”
The Nov. 21 opening date is intentional, Scudder said.
“We’ve gotten some feedback from people who said they have families and friends in for Thanksgiving, and a lot of people want to start holiday shopping at that time,” she said. “We did a similar thing last year, and that allowed visitors to have access to the incredible makers-market goods over that holiday weekend.”
The date also coincides with Park City Mountain’s opening day, Scudder said.
“So it captures that ski-tourism traffic as well,” she said. “Not only locals, but visitors look for those unique pieces that remind them of their trip. So, what is a better way to do that than buying a small art print, pottery or something that helps tell the story of the sense of place in our community?”
The pieces sold not only tell the stories of those who made them, but also showcases how creative Park City and Summit Country residents are, Scudder said.
“It’s a great way for makers, especially those who don’t have their own space, to get exposure, move some product and promote themselves and Park City and Summit County as an arts and culture hub,” she said.
CREATE PC Holiday Makers Market is also a great way for local artisans and entrepreneurs to network as part of a greater creative community, Scudder said.
“More than likely, every community member will know somebody who is participating in the show, and they’re able to support them and a nonprofit that continues to help champion these vibrant, creative people,” she said.
The market is also a boon for the local economy, according to Scudder.
“We’ve studied the growth of the program to see how the model works, and we’ve come up with some staggering numbers,” she said. “Since 2019, when we started to really lean into the program, we have funneled $950,000 into artists pockets. If this program didn’t exist, that money wouldn’t be returned back into the local economy. So, it’s a privilege to do this show every year.”
For information about the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County’s CREATE PC Holiday Makers Market and how to apply, visit pcscarts.org.