Kid and Teen Artists Get To Show Off Their Creative and Business Skills In The Woodlands — Young Makers Market Returns

Young Makers Market, the extravaganza that showcases the work of artists aged 9 to 18, is returning to The Woodlands for its third straight year. This year’s Young Makers Market will take place on Saturday, August 29 on the Market Street mixed-use development’s central green. 46 young artists will be on hand to sell their art.

This event is presented by The Woodlands Arts Council, giving students a chance to experience what it is like to be a working artist promoting their own original artwork. Prior to the Market, the young artists attend a workshop focusing on skills that extend beyond creating art. Through interactive presentations led by local professionals, participants gain practical skills in entrepreneurship, customer engagement and communicating the story behind their artwork.

“Creating great art is only part of the journey,” Young Makers Market chair Noemi Gonzalez says. “This workshop gives students the confidence and entrepreneurial skills to share their work with others, connect with customers and experience what it’s like to be a working artist.”

The workshop also featured a keynote presentation from artist and architect Michelle Giuseppetti Old, whose public art can be found throughout The Woodlands. As part of the artist group O.M.G., she has helped create several public art pieces in the community, including the You Are Loved Bench, located right along The Woodlands Waterway.

Creating Young

One of the artists whose work will be on sale is Emery Oliphant, a junior at The John Cooper School. Her work has been previously exhibited as part of The Woodlands Arts Council’s “Winter in The Woodlands.”

Oliphant uses her father’s 18-year-old camera. She got her start in photography as a way to do more than just watch her brother’s weekly soccer games.

“I came downstairs one morning before we left and randomly remembered my dad had a camera, so I asked if I could use it at the game instead of just watching,” Oliphant says. “The pictures I took were pretty rough. But I was so proud of them and kept going from there.

“At my school, everyone gets an advisor throughout high school, and it just so happened that mine turned out to be the photography teacher. That Monday when I went to check in at her room it clicked and I showed her those pictures from the game.”

Oliphant’s advisor, Ms. Schiebel, worked her to correct some technical settings.

“Ms. Schiebel is such an incredible mentor for me,” Oliphant says. “And I am so grateful for her support. She always throws my work into competitions and tells me how proud she is of me.”

Soccer also connected Oliphant to Young Makers Market. One of the dads at a soccer game recommended the show to her.

“My support system throughout the whole process has been incredible and that’s what interesting me in showing and selling my art,” Oliphant says. “I hope to speak to more people and make more connections and see what my work can make people feel.”

Another Young Makers Artist is Josie Smyth, a homeschooled 6th grader full of personality and creativity. Smyth’s artwork is 3D mixed media, and she creates unique “character keychains.”

“I’m a homeschooler and art has always been a part of my life.” Smyth says. “I spent a lot of years creating things using whatever I could find in my Mom’s recycling can. Now that I am older, it’s fun to get on Amazon and go to Hobby Lobby to get supplies and try new things.”

Smyth uses polymer clay, paint and UV resin to create her keychains.

“I’m excited to get to sell my keychains and earrings in front of such a large audience,” she says. “I’m looking forward to getting to meet and talk to new people about art and business, my two favorite things.”

Market goers can expect to see animals, marshmallows, clouds and cute foods keychains. Many of them will have cute faces.

Now in its third year, the Young Makers Market provides young artists with a real world opportunity to gain entrepreneurial experience, share their work with the public, and connect with the community. For information about all 46 artists, check out the show directory here.

This year’s Young Makers Market is Saturday, August 29 from 10 am to 2 pm at Market Square.