As technology has advanced in recent years, many goods have become easily accessible through online shopping and large retail stores. However, while these services are convenient, they fail to honor the artistic process. Many products are mass-produced and never one of a kind. Additionally, many involve underpaid manual labor.
Many people are unaware of the hard work and dedication that goes into making real, authentic, one-of-a-kind artwork. Whether it’s expressive art forms like dance or more visual and crafty components like paintings, Ventura is full of hidden local artists with immense talents. Supporting local artists isn’t difficult either. Numerous shops, art markets, festivals and events offer the perfect opportunity to uphold this community.
Support local community and culture
Buying locally comes with endless opportunities for creativity and style. Additionally, supporting local artists can foster a larger sense of community and culture within Ventura. Many shops and artist venues have been passed down for generations and are struggling to keep up with big corporations.
Additionally, those looking for a way to be a part of the artistic community can be a great support for local art instructors. Places such as Vita Art Center – which offers classes for ages ranging from children to adults – bring the art scene closer together.
Generosity and cheritability are huge benefits to shopping locally as well. According to Capital One shopping statistics, “Small businesses make up to 136 percent more charitable donations per employee than businesses with 500-or-more employees.” Evidently, large corporations with the common consumeristic goal of making money hardly ever donate profits to charities and share the primary goal of being ahead of their competition.
Due to the large-scale production of chain stores, “for every local retailer in the U.S., there are 416 consumers.” (Capital One). This means that, because of convenience and price, customers may be inclined to shop from chain stores, even if they prefer to shop locally.
Keep money in the local economy
While some small business artists may increase their prices due to the large amount of time and effort put into their work, this extra cost isn’t being paid without a positive outcome. Further Capital One shopping statistics show that shopping locally keeps money in the community and reduces environmental strain: “Local retailers retain 289 percent more revenue for the local economy than chain stores do.” Furthermore, “Dollars spent at an independent business may recirculate in the local economy an average of six to 15 times.”
Unique, quality artworks
When you buy local art, you’re not just purchasing a product – you’re honoring a story and a careful process. Most every piece seen in Ventura’s local shops reflects the town’s natural landscape: decorative mosaics made from shells on Ventura’s beaches, driftwood repurposed for decorations and much more. Buying from big companies that mass produce their products cannot replicate the original and detailed works of local artists. Each purchase builds a personal connection, which is something difficult to find at retail stores.
While some prices of local art may be higher than your average retail piece, it is often priced to reflect the time, materials and creativity that went into creating the piece. Mass-produced items often use cheap canvas or prints on plastic, while local artists use diverse, high-quality materials such as wood, textiles, watercolor and glass.
Local stores including Latitudes Fine Art and Nature Photos and Sea Things Ventura offer a wide variety of creative pieces and mediums. Even places like Betty Belts, as well as Iron & Resin, which both work with Foothill Tech’s own Design and Technology program (DTech), offer many different styles that cater to most everyone’s needs.
When you are buying from shops like these, you’re not only supporting local artists but also Foothill Tech’s own students. Both sides are working hard to produce high-quality work for the art community of Ventura that everyone can enjoy.
