The university’s ARTshop has remain closed this semester, but is scheduled to reopen on Valentine’s Day after some major changes.

Prior to the changes, the shop only sold products out of the store.

“We are going to have an online component as well. We’ll document the work and put it all online to be bought, rather than just having the physical store,” said Andrew Kuebeck, the faculty advisor for the ARTshop.

Buying from the ARTshop gives students and the Kent community the opportunity to purchase original pieces of work at a highly discounted price, while at the same time supporting local artists and students.

The ARTshop sits right off the Esplanade in the Center for Visual Arts. The shop contains the works of many students with different visions and skills. From glassware and pottery to necklaces and rings, the ARTshop has anything you could imagine.

The shop gives students a place to display and possibly sell the work they have made in their classes, clubs or free time. It is completely student-driven and run mostly by students within the School of Art.

Current students and alumni sell their work for commission through the shop. The artists get 70 percent of the listed price while the School of Art takes 30. Of that 30 percent, 20 goes back into student scholarships.

Kuebeck anticipates the sales will generate multiple scholarships worth hundreds of dollars each for the coming years.

Michael Loderstedt, the man behind the vision for the ARTshop, encourages students to sell their work there. Entrepreneurship is just one of the many skills he feels art students should possess.

Nate Avery, a graduate student in the School of Art, said he has sold over a dozen pieces of his work through the ARTshop. He encourages art students to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I would say the ARTshop is a really great example to show just how the art retail world works for the most part,” Avery said. “The opportunity to sell is real and should always be at the forefront for anyone trying to make a real living off of their creative pursuits.”

Kuebeck, alongside Howard Anderson Turner, the shop’s staff advisor, plans to have theme months. Some of the themes they have in mind so far are jewelry, pottery, glassware and paintings.  

All the student clubs within the School of Art are represented, including glass, textiles, jewelry and art.

Brittany Wilson covers arts and architecture. Contact her at [email protected]