ShopColumbia Hosts Holiday Market Preview
ShopColumbia is combining student creativity with everyone’s holiday shopping season with a Holiday Market Preview on Nov. 23. The afternoon event, which runs 3-7 p.m., will offer select merchandise for sale created entirely by Columbia College Chicago alumni and student artists.
This is the first year ShopColumbia has put together a preview of its annual event, which provides an early glimpse into the full Holiday Market, and gives artists an additional chance to showcase their work and interact with shoppers.
“The Holiday Market is a perfect opportunity to discover Columbia artists and to find unique gifts,” said Ari Winholt (BA ’14), founder of Homesick Clothing Co. “I enjoy its charm and I look forward to it every year.”
In addition, alumni and students see an immediate benefit to getting exposure through the Holiday Market. “I have noticed an increase in social media follows, internet traffic, and sales,” added Winholt. “Many people have reached out to me, specifically because they saw my work at ShopColumbia.”
The 7th Annual Holiday Market runs Dec. 3-5 featuring more than 50 alumni and student artists selling clothing, jewelry, hats, paintings, cards, photographs and skateboards. The Market is a showcase of the products available at ShopColumbia as well as those offered exclusively at the event. Students will keep 75% of their sales and alumni retain 50%. Student organizations participating in Holiday Market will also raise funds from various merchandise they sell
Tracey Drobot Brouwer, Operations Coordinator for ShopColumbia is looking forward to this year’s market, which is not just limited to merchandise sales. In previous years, it has featured live musical performances and poetry readings. A hot chocolate bar has been added this year.
“I am excited about being able to exhibit all of our artists and give them an opportunity to interact with the customers who buy their products,” said Brouwer. “This year we anticipate that some of the artists will demonstrate how they make their creations. This is our biggest sales event and we expect to attract hundreds over the span of three days.”
ShopColumbia is located in the first floor of the 623 S. Wabash building. Both the Holiday Market and its preview will be held at ShopColumbia as well as in adjacent spaces. The Nov. 23 preview is open 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Hours for the Holiday Market are: Dec. 3, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Dec. 4, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Dec. 5, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit shop.colum.edu.