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Support local artists and feel Fabulous!
- Joyce A. Vukela-Mayer
- Mar 20
- 2 min read
Support local artists and feel Fabulous!
I was listening to a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) lecture about practical applications of Nehemiah chapter 5. It talks about how the people were selling their daughters as slaves in order to afford food because of predatory business practices. I checked the “I’m good” box in my mind when the presenter said that we should treat people fairly in business. But then she asked a harder question: Do we consider whether the products we purchase, especially online, are from companies with exploitative business practices? Yikes! That hit close to home. I had recently ordered a glass tabletop from China because it was significantly cheaper than a quote from a local manufacturer, and I hadn’t done any research into the company. My first instinct was to justify my actions: “I don’t knowingly support that,” and “How would I even know?”
Then another thought came to mind…
I thought about how people often expect artwork to be the same price as the mass-produced art sold in many home décor stores or online. And the truth is, your local artists simply can’t compete with those prices. Many artists rely on their work as their primary source of income, and for some, that can be incredibly challenging. Despite all, for many artists, including me, this work feels like a calling.
So why should you feel fabulous for buying from your local artist? Here are some reasons:
You know where it is made and under what conditions.
You’re investing in human creativity rather than AI or mass production
You’re supporting your local economy through the artists who utilize and rely on other local businesses
I’ve also come to realize there’s a misconception about how artwork is priced, and how many people and other small businesses are involved behind the scenes. Using my own work as an example, this includes:
Steel from a local supplier
A local steel fabricator who shapes it into a canvas
A local auto body shop that applies the protective coating
Professional photography to capture the finished piece
Local galleries
So now you have it. Find art you love from a local artist. Then feel fabulous for purchasing it and fabulous every time you look at it. Not only is the art beautiful, but you did a beautiful thing by supporting your local artist and other local businesses. Yes indeed, you are fabulous!
Feel free to share this blog and thanks for reading it,
Joyce Vukela-Mayer, Rusted Steel Artist
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