Maker-ing a scene

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This article was published 02/02/2024 (966 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers have a cosy new space to learn creative skills from local makers.

The Drop Shop is a venture from Mairen Kops, co-founder of Luckygirl Pop-ups. Tucked away in the back of Chip’s Vintage, a Sherbrook Street clothing store, the small room is part market and part studio offering a variety of regular arts-and-crafts workshops.

“I thought it would be great for makers to have a space to come and drop a new collection or exhibit something new … that’s available all year round,” says Kops, who also sells vintage home goods out of the location.

“And I knew there were a lot of people interested in doing workshops as well.”

The partnership with Chip’s was a natural fit. Owner Andrew Chipman got his start selling clothes at pop-up events and has provided retail space to other local entrepreneurs since moving into his own storefront.

While facilitating workshops wasn’t his forte, Chipman was keen to add an interactive element to the shop.

“I needed to partner with someone who has this roster of other people who would want to use this space,” he says of the previously underused back room. “And then Luckygirl reached out to me — it just felt very correct and it’s been so lovely to see the space being used so frequently.”

So far, the Drop Shop has hosted printmaking, ceramics and painting classes led by some of the hundreds of vendors Kops has connected with over the last decade of running craft markets.

The space — which can be configured to accommodate 20 students — feels like a homey living room filled with mid-century modern furniture, funky wall art and vintage kitchenware, including an array of kitschy salt and pepper shakers.

The goal is to offer a weekly workshop with the potential of moving to a twice-a-week schedule depending on demand. Kops has seen a surge of interest in creative pursuits in the wake of the pandemic.

“Lots of people suddenly became crafters or artists and in that time, we saw a lot more maker businesses pop-up out of that for sure. I think people are interested in learning how to make things and be in an environment with other (like-minded) people … and maybe they become a painter out of it, or maybe they become a maker themselves,” she says.

For watercolour artist Helia Saadat, workshops are an opportunity to share her passion for painting while diversifying her income stream.

Saadat is a self-taught artist and architectural intern who moved to Winnipeg from Iran in 2017 to attend university. Recently, she set out to turn her watercolour hobby into a business by selling paintings of landscapes and nature at local markets, including Luckygirl.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s also something I really enjoy doing,” she says of starting an artistic side hustle.

“Art is a really big part of my life.”

Saadat has been teaching watercolour techniques for several years but has struggled to find a space in Winnipeg where she could host classes on a casual basis. The Drop Shop fit the bill.

“I really loved the space; it was the best atmosphere for a painting session. And because I work full-time, I don’t want to commit to (teaching) a 10-session class. It’s easier for me to do one three-hour workshop a month and provide what I really want to provide,” she says.

Saadat’s goal is to give students an enjoyable introduction to the artform.

“I see a lot of struggle for people with watercolour and a lot of frustration. It’s not the easiest medium to deal with,” she says.

While Luckygirl manages the scheduling and promotion of upcoming classes, individual makers are responsible for running registrations for their workshops.

Saadat will be hosting another watercolour workshop at the Drop Shop later this month (exact date to be determined). Visit heliaart.com for more information.

eva.wasney@winnipegfreepress.com

X: @evawasney

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