AKRON, Ohio — There is something cool happening among local artists and makers in the Akron area. Like so many, the new coronavirus has negatively impacted how they make a living. But they’re getting creative to help each other make it through this tough time, and you can help from home, too.
Marissa McClellan is the executive director of the nonprofit called Crafty Mart.
She says some markets in Northeast Ohio plan to pool their online resources to hold virtual markets and shopping events since in-person springtime shows have been canceled due to a ban on large gatherings.
Marissa says most of these artists and makers have online shops where you can still buy their products. However, she says she also recognizes that it’s a tough time to ask people to spend money right now with all the economic uncertainty.
So, she says one of the best ways you can help local crafters and artisans right now, is to share their work on social media. Share a post from their page, and comment and like their posts. She says this will help ensure their relevancy and that they don’t get lost in social media algorithms and keep showing up in timelines and feeds.
