Dozens of imaginatively fresh prints showcased across vendor stands, racks of effortlessly chic clothes, and collections of mesmerizingly beautiful jewelry are just a few things that this year’s ArtMart will showcase. And just like usual, it won’t simply be a place to browse. The music flowing throughout Mudd Field alongside the event’s authentically welcoming nature will give it the perfect atmosphere to connect with the people making the art.

This semester’s ArtMart is set to be the largest ever and is on Friday, Oct. 16, running from 2-5 p.m. on Mudd Field.

Organized by Armour Magazine and the Sam Fox Art Council, ArtMart continues its mission of using artistic expression as a way to bring people together. Each of the event’s vendors are students from across WashU’s schools offering a variety of crafts for sale. Just as many vendors are returning for this year’s event, swaths of students new to ArtMart are taking their shot at putting their work out there.

Junior Esteban Castaneda is bringing his love for crochet to ArtMart in his stand, Caprinite Crochet, with handmade Pokémon ranging from Pikachu to Ditto, an adorably chubby Pochita, and a half-done Totoro sitting in his bag as he figures out how to get it perfect.

His love for the art form manifested in high school when he joined his friend’s crochet club, even though he had no prior interest. Since it was only the two of them in the club, what started as a nice gesture for a friend evolved into a “one-on-one tutoring session” where Castaneda’s passion and skills at crochet could take form. He evolved his craft from simple stuffed animals to specialized crocheted figures that depicted characters from his favorite shows.

For Castaneda, crochet is a meditative process, where he can fully immerse himself in the process of creation. He dedicates hours to every one of his pieces, making sure that each has the correct proportions and stitching. Selling at ArtMart last year has given Castaneda more than sales. 

“Even if people didn’t buy anything, [people] wanting to take pictures or see my work was super validating,” he said. “I always want to make sure it’s as good quality as it can be so people are getting something worth their money.”

He recently created an Instagram page, and his next goal is opening commissions to anyone interested. If you don’t see your favorite character on his table at ArtMart, then don’t be afraid to ask.

“Something handcrafted of your favorite character can be pretty special,” he said.

Usually calling someone a fish face is rude, but at ArtMart it’ll cost you $5.

Fish Face is a stand created by two friends, juniors Kevin Kan and Mark Hannah. The name is a joke that doubles as a division of labor — Mark makes the face, and Kevin makes the fish.

Hannah’s half of the stand is the face, where he does live portraiture, drawn in two or three minutes. He’s trained in painting and realistic drawing but sees live portraiture as a unique way to connect with others. He’s upfront that speed has a cost.

“Maybe they won’t be the most awesome or realistic portraits ever,” he said. “But it’s that experience which I think is the good part.” 

Drawing from a live person lets him capture their real emotions in the moment rather than getting caught up in the details.

Kan’s half is the fish, an endearingly deadpanned fish the color of Dodger blue that he’s been drawing since before college. He initially drew the admirably indifferent fish for comics, but then he started making stickers. 

“I see myself in the character, and other people see themselves in it too,” he said.

The two friends met in high school and, after coming to WashU, set a goal of opening a booth at ArtMart together. They hope that they can offer a unique experience where people can get a quick and high-quality portrait while browsing for charmingly fishy stickers.

Rachel Benitez Borrego | Staff Photographer

After years of weekend classes, sophomore Maddie Jeans had lined every inch of her family’s home with ceramic bowls and mugs that she now wants to sell at her stand, Maddie Throws. 

A St. Louis native, she grew up taking art classes at Craft Alliance. She initially went with her best friend to de-stress, but through every warped bowl and overglazed mug, learned to better her craft and eventually use it as a form of expression. Her favorite part comes after the wheel. 

“Glazing is the really fun part where you get very experimental because you really don’t know how it’s going to turn out,” she said. 

Jeans eventually found herself gravitating toward earthy colors, but always makes sure to keep her experimental wits sharp.

Jeans attended both fall and spring ArtMarts last year as a customer, and she hopes that visitors this year come for more than shopping. 

“I think everyone should go,” she said. “Maybe it would inspire someone to try doing something themselves.”

Rachel Benitez Borrego | Staff Photographer

On Friday, Oct. 16, Castaneda will be sitting alongside his handcrafted Pikachus and Pochitas, Hannah will be mid-portrait surrounded by Kan’s stickers, and Jean’s bowls will be waiting on the table, glazes gleaming. If you want to see what these and many other student artists at WashU have been up to, make sure to check out ArtMart on Mudd Field from 2-5 p.m.