After a 3 year hiatus, I have been granted the pleasure to participate in StART on the Street 2022 as a 10x10 Vendor, more room to express SarahDualityArt Authentically.

It has been three years since my last attendance at StART on The Street. A lot has changed since then. To setup, body of work, overall mindset and strategy, all positive changes have occurred the best ways possible. I was skeptical about this experience surpassing my first experience in 2019, beyond words, this is by far the best event I have done. When you just know, you know when setup is almost complete.

Around this time last year, I had received a commission of an animal skull (ram) infused with botanicals (dahlias) for a former neighbor. She had a lot of positive impact on me growing up in sense of personal style, i’m thankful to have been inspired by her as a child and still seeing influence as an adult. When I received this commission, I saw it as a way to show who I wanted to be as an artist with my own style and time. Outside of college and free to do any work that makes me happy.
I wanted to make this piece a specific way, diving into dark art style with linework textures.
Throughout, I had bounced between my iPad and Bristol paper, trial and error to see how I can create this piece to its full potential.
In college, I genuinely couldn’t express the way I wanted my art to look due to my attitude, environment, and time management. It was by senior year I felt like I could express myself.
I had loved this process so much, it has dived me to creating a cohesive portfolio consisting of animal skulls, botanicals, black and white linework, with inspiration of tattoo design and the aesthetic of oddities.

Most of this year has spent understanding who I want to portray as an artist and feel confident in doing so.

Two years had passed and the end of April 2022 creeps near. In past, pre covid times, organization StART on the Street would announce the date of the festival taking place in Mid-September on Park Ave, Worcester MA.
Talking with other vendors day of, a few of us expressed concern If it would ever come back due to the state of the world.
When finding out it was returning, I and a bunch of artists were thrilled!!!
In May, they had announced artist applications and when they were required to be in. The news of StART broke after getting into Salem Arts Festival for June. I had submitted my application for the 10x10 spot and waited till early June for my result email informing my approval or denial of Festival participation. I had found out my acceptance night before of Salem Arts Festival in my spam folder. I had quite the summer ahead of me of balancing work and preparing for multiple shows at once.

Upon preparation, I wanted to have cohesive series of prints to choose from, I wanted to make sure I had good branding, to utilize digital marketing to put yourself out there for everyone to see. Compared to where I was in 2019, I was ready.
As StART came near, I had created a body of work entailing two cohesive series as prints, original paintings, jackets, stickers, and a mirror informing mirror selfies are encouraged. Along with a setup following a black and white theme, colorful signing for social handles with pricing, and grids that were easy to build and take apart, with a rug that pulled together the entire layout.

Day of, we had arrived for check at around 8:15am. Attaining mirror signage of our selected spot being 105 on the pavement. Compared to 2019, I was in a complete different part of the street. Last time I was a 6x6 and facing all 10x10 tents. This time, I was by Elm Park which could be debated if it was the beginning or end of the festival depending who you ask. We took from 8:30am to 10:45am to complete setup from tent, to tables, to merchandise.
It had started off slow, but by noon to 3pm were its peak time and had customers on a consistent basis. I work in a fast-paced retail environment and it definitely prepared me for the 40,000 attendees. Many of my friends showed up in support and bought art. Had so many people comment on my work, follow my socials, and even comment on my pricing. It sounds strange, but it was nice to hear positive feedback on technical matters so that I can always improve my vendor layout or messaging.
Some items did phenomenal and had a brand new print sold out by the end of the day along with a 9x12 raven print selling out too! Others were close and needing restock.

The event lasted from 11am-6pm, on our feet for about 12 hours that day, I was tired, but felt whole.
As an individual, Im all about transformation and growing as a person through my experiences.
Today had shown me how much I have grown in just three years. 2019 being my first year with a 6x6 table with an array of miscellaneous illustrations. At the time, its clear I had a hard time distinguishing what my niche was artistically. 2022, I have a clear path in front of me of my niche and since then, its been a blast figuring out who I am and managing art accounts all across Social Media. I am not afraid to take up space and make myself present as an artist to the world.
What a fantastic feeling.

Im grateful for another experience with StART, and I plan to participate every year for years to come.
Below is an art vlog I made to sum up the entire experience and vibe of StART on The Street 2022.
I hope you all enjoyed the read and excited to write about my next experiences for whatever the future may bring me.

Instagram Reel of art vlog StART 2022.

StART on The Street 2022.

The Looff Arts Festival 2022.