Crafty students turn creations into cash at art market

Student artists turned their hand-crafted jewellery, scented candles and clothing into cash at an art market at the University of Otago yesterday.

The market, which is part of the Otago University Students’ Association’s (OUSA) Art Week, was designed to allow artists and crafts people to sell their wares to the student population.

Paddy Pattern co-creators Allie Hawksworth and Emily Jerrom were selling clothing they had made from thrift shop fabric.

Izabella, by Katie Nichols, Deluginal, by Esther Moore and Fiordland, by Jack Gilmore, at the OUSA's Art Week in the Union Hall yesterday morning. They created their business from their flat after having found they had made too many clothes for personal use during last year’s Covid-19 lockdowns.

Student Sophie Sutherland browses the racks at the Paddy Pattern stall at the Radio One market day during the OUSA’s Art Week.PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH

Ms Jerrom said the market was a good opportunity to recognise the artists and crafts people behind the products on offer, and allow them to connect with customers face to face.

They now had six designs in their clothing range, and found the market brought many previous buyers to the booth for repeat purchases.

Otago University Students’ Association events co-ordinator Shannon van Rooijen said Art Week had been running for more than a decade, and started off as an exhibition of student artworks.

Now the event had expanded to include workshops, competitions and the market day.

The student art exhibition will continue in the Union Hall until tomorrow.