Woman-led Solidarity in the Creative Community
Words Abby L. Johnson | Photos Parker Thornton & Eric Morales
Thriving artistic communities are not cultivated in a vacuum, and these local business owners know that well. Each woman-led endeavor is a key piece of the creative ecosystem that centers on elevating individuals for the betterment of the collective. From fostering inclusive environments to providing practical educational opportunities and sharing insider knowledge, it is by standing together that everyone has a chance to shine.
Platforming the Community
Black Makers Market founder Ericka Barnes has a deep respect for working with your hands. The creative entrepreneur and community advocate was raised on a farm in far East Austin. She recalls selling bushels of peaches roadside with her family as a child, her first foray into small business
Paper Paradise
There’s a universal, thrilling language known by schoolchildren of a certain age: the passing of the innocent-but-illicit note in class. Pei Sim’s love affair with stationery and paper began in her childhood years growing up in Singapore. Note cards, letter sets, and gel pens colored those early years in the cutest pastel hues.
The House that Craft Built
Elizabeth Hyman and Ryan Doolittle know the Austin pop-up scene. The pair met in the trenches of handmade markets as fellow vendors fighting the variables of unpredictable weather, untested locations, and inconsistent turnouts.
