MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It seems the coronavirus has upended just about everything.
Most of the events we look forward to have been postponed or canceled.
That goes for the many craft shows across the region.
Local 24 News Reporter Brittani Moncrease with a local artist about how the pandemic has impacted her.
Dani Sposato owns Dani Soul Art. Typically, she’d be participating crafts festivals throughout the area selling her ceramics. That is not the case now as the pandemic has stopped these events from happening.
“I think every single one has been cancelled until next year,” said Sposato.
It comes at a great cost.
“That has really hurt my bottom line. I have made less than half of what I made this time last year,” said Sposato.
The challenge has been finding other outlets.
“Some people want to do virtual, but it’s really hard to do a virtual festival and get the same traffic,” said Sposato. “It’s also difficult because now everybody is selling online. People that haven’t before.”
Luckily, Sposato joined Tennessee Crafts.
“They have actually been huge in supporting all of the artists that are a part of Tennessee Craft. They have a lot of online promoting,” said Sposato.
It may be the way of the future.
“I think it’s already changed it. People getting classes online has opened up the audience that they might not have had otherwise,” said Sposato. “There’s a lot of people that are really willing to support local artists.”
If they are anything like Sposato, the artists support right back.
“Do you know Tabitha Brown? Obviously, she’s everybody’s internet mom. I made these mugs,” said Sposato.
"Cause that's your business," is a common saying from the internet sensation. Sposato is a fan.
Half of her proceeds from these mugs and her Black Lives Matter mugs will go to the Black Lives Matter movement.
That is not all.
“I’m donating 10% of all my sales this year to the Mid-South Food Bank,” said Sposato. “I have an opportunity to sell these and do something. I know the Mid-South Food Bank has done so much to feed our kids and a lot of people that have lost their jobs. I want to use my art to help the community.”
Sposato and other local artists are relying heavily on the community. Even something as simple as a share on social media helps.
