Simplified: Pez Felino wants a safe space for all the weirdos. That's why the visual artist, who moved to Sioux Falls from Montreal this spring, is bringing an alternative art market to town next month with the goal of supporting up-and-coming artists while also creating community.
Why it matters
- Felino quickly realized Sioux Falls has a strong arts scene when she moved here. A muralist herself, she said she appreciated seeing the number of murals and other accessible public art around town.
- But she also realized many existing art markets weren't accessible for brand new artists or didn't quite fit the vibe of some of the more alternative artists. She wanted a space where all of the self-proclaimed misfits could come together and share their talents.
- Inspired by the Montreal Punk Rock Flea Market, Felino set out to create her own market with the help of new friends at Nordic Hall. The Misfit Empire market will have a diverse array of visual artists – including artists who are multilingual, in the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants and people of color.
"It’s so important to be empathetic to others, and it doesn't matter where you come from or what you look like," Felino said. "It needs to be a celebration of us being together."
Tell me more
The first Misfit Empire art market event will take place Saturday, Dec. 20 at Nordic Hall and will include eight vendors and three interactive art workshops.
Attendance is free for the market and workshops are either free or offered at a discounted rate (depending on which ones you attend).
Workshops include:
- Spanglish Doodles Jam, led by Felino,
- Upcycled Ugly Sweaters by SkysFashun,
- Paint Throwing by Zenith Art Studios.
"In the Midwest, I've seen there are a lot of misfits everywhere, so that's why I also really like to be here," Felino said. "It was like, OK, I don't feel that alone because I feel like there are more people with the same vibe as myself."
How can I learn more?
You can learn more about the event here, and RSVP for workshops here.
