Becoming an Art Hop vendor is dependent on which part of the street fair you wish to set up a table. Photo by Jesus Sepulveda

Downtown Fresno has become a hub for local vendors. Through events like this past weekend’s Fulton Street Party, FresYes Fest and ArtHop, entrepreneurs can make substantial revenue and create a name for themselves.

ArtHop, which brings together Fresno artists and galleries twice month, has been growing a steady following outside of the art community. Crowds in the hundreds walk Fulton Street from the Brewery District to the Cultural Arts District Park. The visitors who descend on Downtown Fresno on the first Thursday of the month skew younger.

They find vendors selling food, artwork, merchandise, vintage clothing and more. Art exhibits can still be found, but to many vendors have stolen the show.

That is a concern for some who feel the focus of ArtHop has shifted since it was founded in 2001 as a way to showcase local work.

 

Know where to sell

Roberto Campos has been selling crystals and jewelry at ArtHop for two years now. He also sells at the River Park farmers market, other markets up and down California and on his Instagram, lunetauro.

During the pandemic, Campos found himself homeless and in need of more income. Creating the business helped him support himself financially.

As an incoming senior at Sonoma State University, Campos makes his journey back to Fresno when he can sell. His family plays a hands-on role to help support his business. He is also a student assistant at the university to make extra cash.

Businesses like Campos’ set up along Fulton Street and Mariposa Plaza. It can be confusing to be a vendor at ArtHop. Campos said for some locations, vendors must apply, and vendors must be quick enough to purchase their spot. Each venue also has a different vendor fee. Some ask for a piece of sales, and others a flat fee.

Different organizers oversee the areas downtown where vendors can sell. Kern Plaza is organized by The Alley in the Valley. Vendors can apply for a space. For Mariposa Plaza, vendors can contact Mas Fresno on their Instagram page. For various locations around downtown, such as the brewery district, vendors can email Fresno Street Eats. Vendors who want to sell at Sun Stereo Warehouse can contact Common Grounds’ Instagram.

“The saturation has gotten denser, but I’m so grateful that for me and my business, my clients seem to love me because I take the time to make them feel like they’re a part of my family,” said Campos. “I’d say for Arthop, I’d love to see more people come out and look at every booth because although my booth does good, I know there’s a lot of talented businesses who don’t do as well.”

 

 

Artistic growth

Local artist Gabriella Stempien is one semester away from obtaining a bachelor’s in studio art at Fresno State. Since 2018, Stempien has been coaching and teaching music. She has been teaching art since 2021, now making it into a career while going to school.

“I love creating art and sharing my ideas with others who want to collaborate,” said Stempien. “I currently teach music and art from preschool to teenagers at a music school in town. I also make a living off of my art and small business.”

Stempien has a studio at the Sun Stereo Warehouse in the Brewery District. At this facility, there are coworking rooms where they host and plan small events and private gatherings where people can come together and learn step-by-step art projects by Stempien and co-teachers they occasionally partner with.

They started by popping up with a 6-foot table, featuring sketches and original pieces and hanging out with friends at Art Hops every month.

“Now I am in a beautiful studio space alongside many talented individuals and business/creators and have many more opportunities in the community as well,” said Stempien.

They started selling art at ArtHop in 2018, setting up on a much smaller scale on Fulton Street. Stempien said selling at ArtHop is interesting in many ways. There are the regulars, the locals who consistently support and the total strangers who want to ask a million questions. Either way, artists enjoy engaging with the community and sparking dialogue with new and familiar faces once a month.

“As ArtHop has grown, my business has steadily gotten more attention and become more sustainable. I find that the consistent people who come out to ArtHop are also the ones consistently supporting mine and others’ art around me,” said Stempien.

At Sun Stereo Warehouse, Stempien coordinates a collective of artists every month. If an artist wants to be a vendor and sell their art, they can contact spaces like the EOC LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Bad Kids Club at Mammoth Mall, or Stempien for Sun Stereo Warehouse.

“These are some of the more accessible spots for ArtHop and especially for artists who are new to showing or need some extra support. However, there are other studios, businesses, coordinators that book different areas, too,” said Stempien.

 

What about artists?

As vendors took over Fulton Street and the monthly celebration of art, some artists have needed help finding space to set up their work.

“Unfortunately, it does overwhelm the streets. It takes away from the art most of the time, unless these vendors are original makers,” said Fresno Arts Council coordinator Elisa Flores. “But it’s those who are not local original makers that take up the space and make it hard for it to be what it’s meant to be with the arts.”

With Stempien’s coordination with artists at Sun Stereo Warehouse, they make space with what they have for artists to sell and set up. Other local businesses may feature or host artists.

Flores explained the importance of artists sharing their platform since there are few galleries in Fresno. So, to have businesses open up their doors for local artists to showcase their work is what ArtHop was created for.

“If I could see differences in ArtHop, I want more art and artists to be set up in spaces where people can see their work. I feel like ArtHop should focus on the artists and creatives and uplifting the art community more thoroughly,” said Stempien.