"Hecho En" Showcases Artists in Norris Square
What happens when you find and elevate creative talent in a neighborhood? On Saturday, October 22nd, local artists showcased their work at the Hecho en Philly Norris Square Craft Market. The event was organized with support from Philadelphia LISC's Creative Placemaking program, as well as the Puffin Foundation, The Food Trust's Knight Market, and the Leeway Foundation. View our slideshow to learn more about this uniquely impactful neighborhood event.
On Saturday, October 22nd, local artists showcased their work at the Hecho en Norris Square Craft Market. Food vendors lined the street surrounding the playground; a few brave artists displayed their ceramics, t-shirts, art, and lotions on the sidewalk in the rainy weather; a DJ blasted festive music from the steps of the Norris Square Neighborhood Project; and, inside the cozy building, talented artists livened up every room with their handmade products for sale.
(From Top Left: Youth at The Village of Arts and Humanities's booth; El Serape Restaurant; Facepaint customer; Frank Flores, barber, gives free haircuts; Nitza Rosario sells handmade clay pottery; Ashley Murphy and Casey Murphy set up their booth selling terrariums.)
Linda Fernandez and Anne Harrison, artists and co-organizers of Hecho en Norris Square, created the event with Norris Square Neighborhood Project to promote art, culture, and local businesses. “We wanted to celebrate craft as an art form and connect it to the history and culture of local people,” Fernandez explained.
Workshops held prior to the event offered participants the opportunity to learn about ways to market their product more effectively. “It was a chance for artists to collaborate, discuss best practices, and get to know each other,” said Fernandez.
(Pictured: Maria Cottman sells crafts made by Ekklesia)
Many of the talented local artists at Hecho en Norris Square were first-time vendors. Ramona Soto, 78, sold her first two paintings at the event with the help of her art instructors, Jamie Forslund and Victoria Rivera. Jamie and Victoria teach art to seniors at the Mann Older Adults Center, and Ramona is one of their most enthusiastic students. “I like painting the best,” Ramona said, “especially flowers … flores.”
“By attracting a city-wide audience to this unique neighborhood, we were working to change people’s perception of Norris Square,” Fernandez explained. “We identified so many creative people in the area. Hecho en Norris Square helped them bring their micro-businesses to market,” she said.
Many residents of the surrounding area have Carribbean, Central and South American heritage. Their family’s history and culture served as inspiration for the artists. Dora Viacava, for example, sold vases, dolls, and jewelry from her native Peru.
The market gave many talented and creative entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to bring their handmade products to market.
(Pictured: Avery Thornburg of Avery's Magic Butters and youth-made art at The Village of Arts and Humanities booth)
Evelyn Mtika, 15, was one of the youngest artist-entrepreneurs at Hecho en Norris Square. A line of people stood waiting for one of her designs as she explained how her business began. “My mother asked me to paint faces at my younger brother’s birthday party a few years ago,” she laughed. “From there, it just took off.”
Nelson Figueroa, a recent graduate of the Mural Arts Philadelphia “Artrepreneurs” Program, worked at the market to help sell the work of current students in the program. Since graduation, Nelson started his own business called Depth Perception Apparel.
Hecho en Norris Square began with a community discussion about the importance of buying local products. Jossiel Cruseta (second from right), who works with the City of Philadelphia to promote entrepreneurship, said he was encouraged by the conversation. “When a group of people from different walks of life come together to plan investment in their community, it’s one of the most fruitful ways to make change. At the end of the discussion, we, individually, came up with easily achievable goals. I, for example, decided that I’m going to visit the local farmers’ market more often. It’s a simple thing, but it will go a long way to helping the community.”
A few of the vendors now work to educate the next generation. Saul Zayas, for example, runs Galatians, a t-shirt printing business. He teaches students how to make their own t-shirts in the Norris Square Neighborhood Project, where he first learned.
Hecho en Norris Square was sponsored in part by Philadelphia LISC, an organization whose Creative Placemaking Initiative helps build communities through art. “Art is a way to celebrate culture,” said Melissa Kim, LISC project manager. “Supporting local artists and entrepreneurs at events like this one builds community, too.”
(Pictured: Writer Omar L. Mosley gets a kiss from girlfriend Jenna Harris. Mosley sold his book, "Bootlegs and Anecdotes.")