Today’s 3rd Annual Creative Kids’ Market at the Lake Wales Arts Council hosted about 60 vendors and scores of customers, anxious to support local young artisans.
Lake Wales Charter Schools art instructor and owner of Art Barn Studio, Brannan Lawson, has coordinated this event each year. She says this one really went to the next level.
“We had many new artisans attend this year,” says Lawson.
Tommy Frank, executive director at Lake Wales Arts Council, says the continued success of this event also ties into other programs LWAC offers to young artists like today’s participants.
“In just three years, the Creative Kids Market has become a highly anticipated event in Lake Wales. What Brannan Lawson has done to encourage young artists to put themselves and their artwork ‘out there’ for the public to appreciate and purchase is a gift to them and this community.
“At the LWAC, we could not be more proud to partner and host such events! In the coming months and years, we will be offering art programs to encourage young artists in their artistic skills, making events like the CKM even more meaningful and enjoyable for everyone.”
This year’s event filled Updike Hall, as well as the gallery on the main floor. Shoppers were offered bags to carry their precious purchases, ranging from artwork and jewelry to bake goods and freeze dried items.
The event is intended to inspire and give experience to young entrepreneurs interested in creating and sharing artisan goods. Spaces were available to students of elementary age and older, many of whom attend local schools.
Michelle Estock, of Winter Haven, found out about the event online due to its popularity in previous years. Her daughter, Elleana Combs, 9, a Girl Scout with Troop 75103, was eager to participate, and created some jewelry items as well as examples of her sun printing.
Elleana says she had an special reason for coming to the event.
“I wanted to help the families who lost a child at Camp Mystic feel better,” she says.
She was able to make around $200 and she wants the money to go to the families of victims killed in the Texas floods at Camp Mystic, a summer camp that lost 27 campers and counselors to date .
“She just wanted to make a difference and decided to donate half of her earnings today on behalf of her troop,” her mom says. “We wish we could make a bigger difference.”
Other young artisans, were happy to converse with shoppers and explain what they created. Juliette Tropea, 9, and her brother, Noah Tropea, 6, baked a Too Much Chocotake cake and made chocolate covered pretzels.
“There’s a whole bag of chocolate chips in that cake,” Juliette explained.
