The Memphis Youth Art Mart began out of teenage boredom, the kind that pops up in the summer when school’s out. “We have jobs and stuff, but outside of that, we’re not really doing anything,” Baylus Schaffler, one of the mart’s founders, says. “And one of my friends was like, ‘Hey, we should do a yard sale for little art pieces.’ And I kind of took that and was like, ‘What if we made it bigger?’”
After all, Schaffler and her friends have been creative entrepreneurs since kindergarten, she says. “A couple of my friends and I would sew tiny pillows and sell them as businesses or draw on people’s arms and call them tattoos and stuff. It’s always just been something I’ve been drawn to, so taking it to the next level is real fun.”
The first Memphis Youth Art Mart was last year, with 19 teen art vendors representing at least six or so schools. This year, they’ll have almost 30. “I’m selling tote bags, T-shirts, prints, that kind of stuff,” says Schaffler, a senior at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. “I know we’re having a lot of people selling prints of their artwork. We’re having a lot of jewelry, plushies, crochet. One of my friends is sewing patches and blankets, like entire quilts to sell. It’s gonna be a lot of different stuff.”
To add to the fun, teen bands Parasoline and Above Jupiter will be performing live, and Albee’s Food Truck will be on-site. Schaffler also has plans to add a crafting table for kids.
Already looking to next year, Schaffler says the Memphis Youth Art Mart won’t end with her once she goes to college next year. “I’ve got some people lined up that are willing to take it over, and I think they’re going to do a great job,” she says.
Memphis Youth Art Mart, Wiseacre Brewing Company, 2783 Broad Avenue, Saturday, August 23, noon-4 p.m.
