The 51st annual ASUNM Arts and Crafts fair, hosting more than 70 handmade art and crafts vendors, started at the Student Union Building on Wednesday.
The event, hosted by the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico, will continue through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Every year we organize the arts and crafts fair; it is run entirely by the undergraduate students,” said Stella Bell Kemper, executive director of ASUNM Art and Crafts Studio.
The Arts and Crafts Fair has been a tradition during UNM’s fall semester since 1963, according to the UNM website.
According to ASUNM officials, each year the University welcomes vendors selling original, handmade goods of many varieties, including custom clothes, chain mail jewelry, crocheted stuffed animals, fused glass window art and local honey.
“This is the only show in the entire state that requires that everything be handmade,” Bell Kemper said. “We do not allow any imports, we do not allow any mass-produced items.”
The fair is a good way to support local businesses and craftspeople, who in turn are supporting their communities by buying their materials locally and raising their animals locally, Bell Kemper said.
Jay Wheeler, owner of South Valley Soap, said the fair is a great event because it not only gives students an opportunity to show off their works, but it’s also a great venue for community members to sell their wares as well.
“The students and staff here are really cooperative and supportive,” Wheeler said.
The show features live music in the SUB ballroom from noon to 1 p.m., and on Thursday there will be food trucks outside as well from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bell Kemper said.
“It is really a great opportunity to bring artists to UNM campus that do not normally have access to this community,” she said.
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This fair is also an opportunity for students, faculty and staff on campus alike to browse, see some art, have a good time and do some early Christmas shopping and find unique holiday presents for their families, she said.
Leah Ellis, a representative of Medieval Modern Arts, said this is her first year as a vendor.
Medieval Modern Arts takes the medieval practice of chain mail and gives it a modern spin to make jewelry, accessories and fascinations, Ellis said.
“So far this festival is fun,” Ellis said. “I came to it last year, but this is my first year selling and participating, and I love it.”
Sayyed Shah is the assistant news editor at the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistant-news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @mainfawadshah.
