In the streets of Downtown Fresno, booths are set up and food trucks are stocked and ready to serve. Why Not Wednesday – a brand-new event for people who want to support local – features vendors, live music and downtown businesses.
This community event, slated for the third Wednesdays of the month, is set up by the Fresno City Council. While there are other events already designed to sell art and items like T-shirts and candles, this new event creates more opportunities for a larger range of people to sell their work. Why Not Wednesday is a great opportunity for students to make some extra money and have fun with friends.
Why Not Wednesday’s booths line Fulton and other streets downtown with vendors coming to sell their items to anyone willing to purchase. They all sell something a little different. Lilia Gonzales Chavez, executive director of ArtHop, welcomes another event for young artists to showcase and sell their work.
“We recognize that there are many makers,” Gonzales Chavez said. “There are many individual artists that don’t show in galleries. And they’re trying to sell their items to help offset their living expenses.”
Many people may not know this, but ArtHop used to be focused on all art. Over the years, people began to sell items from other brands/people, taking away from the art that others are selling.
Vickey Belmont, Fresno Christian high school and middle school art teacher, has been to Arthop multiple times. She loves discovering local art.
“I was a little disinterested because it was more about selling goods as opposed to when I went the first time and it was more about art, which was more my interest,” Belmont said.
While Why Not Wednesday allows people to sell creations, ArtHop is changing its rules to make sure it is more about art. They will have section monitors to check everyone’s booths to make sure they sell art rather than selling illegal items.
“We will probably look for lead organizers that will bring together makers and will screen those makers to make sure that what they’re selling is truly theirs,” Gonzales Chavez said.
ArtHop will continue from 5-8 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of every month. The event will proceed to host vendors and promote art galleries throughout Downtown Fresno. Why Not Wednesday will be 5-9 p.m. every third Wednesday. The event will not be limited to just art; they will feature many different items including plants, candles, charms and stickers.
These events create opportunities for students to show off their art and sell their work. Students can also hang out, shop and have fun walking around all the booths.
For more from The Feather, go to Central Valley’s 29th Honor Flight or Fresno community gathers in resemblance of 9/11.
