MCA’s cherished annual Holiday Bazaar lives on through Arrow
As promised, Arrow Creative continues the legacy of Memphis College of Art in support of local artists and creatives of all ages and skill levels. Arrow Creative offers to local makers a chance to create and sell in one space, currently a concept shop on Broad Ave with 6 studios, retail, gallery and classroom space, and in the future, a forever home of 20+ studios, multiple galleries, access to 10 departments of equipment, retail space, classrooms and meeting space. In May 2020, Arrow Creative acquired 10 departments of equipment from Memphis College of Art, including papermaking, letterpress, printmaking, ceramics, woodshop, photography, painting, animation/illustration, fashion design, and the sound lab departments.
Online Holiday Bazaar application below
This past summer, Arrow planned to host a Summer Camp of over 500 students, to continue MCA’s well loved programming, but due to COVID had to pivot. Arrow was still able to safely host 8 classes over the summer ranging from digital illustration to fashion design to advanced drawing and painting. Arrow saw around 60 students over the course of eight weeks and employed local artists to teach.
The organization has continued to build on the success of the youth programming, offering after school art classes and teaming up with LITE Memphis to create a Youth Creative Entrepreneurship in Studio 4. Jacklyn Scott, Arrow Programs Director, said “We love seeing what children create when coming to our studios. It’s a time that the kids don’t have to think about what’s going on with schools or COVID. They get to be with like minded children and do what they love, create art.”
Arrow continues to offer community education courses via Zoom as well as smaller in person classes on Broad Avenue. Classes coming up feature opportunities for both hobbyists as well as the growing creative entrepreneurs. Classes featured this month include The Business Approach to Instagram with Cara Greenstein, Stitch Your Own: Make or Mend, Autumn Harvest Watercolors on Zoom, Candle Making, and Chunky Chains Necklace Workshop with Brandy Boyd.
This winter, Arrow will also continue the tradition of a Holiday Bazaar featuring art, accessories, apparel and jewelry from local artisans. Applications (due November 1st) are now open to be featured in this event via Arrow’s website (online applications can be found here). Because of social distancing guidelines, the event will span over a month (November 23rd-December 23) instead of MCA’s typical weekend event. Tickets will not be necessary and Arrow requires face masks to enter. Private viewing appointments will be offered as requested.
Arrow Executive Director Abby Phillips says, “This was an event I looked forward to every year. I’m so excited to be able to continue that tradition through Arrow. We’re also pleased that we will be able to continue to showcase local artists and makers at a time when many festivals that they come to rely on have been cancelled. We think this will be a great event for the whole community.”