By Santiago Anaya / NM News Port
From Wednesday, Nov. 29, through Friday, Dec. 1, local vendors displayed their crafts and wares in the University of New Mexico Student Union Building. The craft fair was held in the SUB ballrooms from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
According to the ASUNM Arts and Crafts Studio, over 70 vendors from across Albuquerque and the UNM campus attended the craft fair to branch out and share local creativity.
Sara Atencio-Gonzales, the executive director of this year’s fair, stated that there was “something for everyone.”
“We have a variety of vendors this year, we have a lot of ceramic, jewelry, printmaking, and as well as a lot of students this year. Definitely more than last year,” Atencio-Gonzales said.
According to Roselyn Padilla, ASUNM Craft Fair organizer, the main goal of the craft fair this year is to help local artists find a bigger audience and be able to reach out to more people. The fair is intended for artists to be able to network and share their work with others.
“How I view it, at least, is to get local vendors out there and a lot of the student artists as well. A lot of them don’t really get recognized,” Padilla said. “It’s a community event that brings everyone together and connects them.”
The craft fair provided space for artists from various backgrounds and interests to share their work. Benjamin Green, a local artist, writer, teacher and fisherman, displayed some fish-themed art at the craft fair. Green noted that the fair was in perfect timing to sell Christmas gifts.
“So many young people are needing to buy gifts for their parents and other folks this time of year,” Green said.
Some of his art included hand-painted bookmarks, paintings, wood carvings, and magnets. According to Green, he makes an effort every year to make it to the craft fair. His streak was interrupted during the pandemic, but he has been glad to be back the last couple of years.
“It has been nice to come back after Covid,” Green said. “It is a good fair and it is always really enjoyable to be here, I will absolutely come back next year.”
Andy Torres, a first-timer at the craft fair, thought it would be a fun opportunity to branch out more and share his work. He runs an apparel and design company called Mobius Theory. The designs are based on his cat named Mobius.
“This is my first year, I do a routine throughout the year of attending railyard markets and growers markets,” Torres said. “Getting a different audience is always helpful especially around the holidays.”
According to Torres, having an entertaining venue and lots of visitors is always beneficial to having a good experience at a fair.
“It has been really well organized and well attended which is two of the things that you hope for,” Torres said. “It helps to make it worth your while and be fun and entertaining to be able to talk to different artists.”
According to Padilla, attending the event this year was a good way to talk to local artists, see what everyone was into, and make new friends.
“I have made so many great friends there just by talking to the vendors,” Padilla stated. “I think it is a really good opportunity for everyone.”
