Artist Alley is a biannual event at the University of Tennessee where artists can both exhibit and sell their work. The art sold at the event ranges from prints, paintings, pottery, clothing and crochet.
The event is run each semester by the Center for Student Engagement in collaboration with the student-run Campus Event Board. Attendees received free food, a craft activity and the opportunity to purchase original art from fellow UT students. Last fall, the event gave each student a ticket for Knox Dough, a local ice cream food truck, and a couple of tables for students to create their own key chains.
“Every time I’m here, I find stuff I like,” said UT student Raine Jensen.
Jensen and others said the items they’ve purchased at Artist Alley have been high quality and long-lasting. This shows the hard work that students put into the event, despite the vendor application for Artist Alley being relatively easy. The process of being accepted into Artist Alley is as simple as filling out a Google form, stating whether they intend to exhibit or sell art, and what type of art it is.
Emma and Kenzie Haines at the Artist’s Alley. Credit: Amelia Beuscher
Vendors can apply for a table at Artist Alley after the event has been announced, giving vendors only one to two weeks to make art to sell for the event. This can make it more difficult for first-year students to use the event as an opportunity to get their work out there since most won’t be aware of the event early enough to increase their stock of art to sell.
“Freshman year I really just wanted some spare money, so I took my paintings off my wall, signed up for it [Artist Alley] and then sold it [paintings],” said vendor Brynn Shannon. “Then people actually wanted to see my paintings, so then I kept coming back every year.”
The quick turnaround can be frustrating for returning vendors as well.
“Once it’s like greenlight, it’s crocheting for hours each day in between classes just to be prepared for the event,” said vendor Lily Andrews.
The lack of prior notice to vendors can also have a negative impact on the presentation of the event. It’s more difficult to get vendors with a shorter turnaround time, especially for students who have jobs that require further notice to take time off.
“I kind of wish they removed the empty tables if no artists are there because it just kind of makes it feel a little… empty,” said Shannon. “I think it would just be… better visually if they only had the tables up where artists are actually occupying them.”
Despite these time constraints, UT students keep coming back as vendors to Artist Alley.
“We love Artist Alley, it’s so fun, even though it is a little stressful to get it all together, definitely worth it,” said Andrews.
Any student interested in either being a vendor or going to the next Artist Alley should follow the CSE’s Instagram at @utkcse to keep updated on monthly events.
Students shopping at Emma and Kenzie Haines’ booth at Artist’s Alley. Credit: Amelia Beuscher
