b'Creative CollaborationsEverything at the SOMA Affordable Art Sale is under $200BY CINDY PERMANJess Cabato at her artist booth. Photo byNatalie Crandall and her whimsical designsNatalie Crandallat a summer art sale. Photo by Elise Pereira.The SOMA Affordable Art Sale organizers: Natalie Crandall, Magie Serpica, Sumana Ghosh-Witherspoon and Ken Stanek. Photo by Megan Fulop.S OMAAffordableArtSaleisthestationerytypethe types of pieces theywhen you have an idea, you can come together re-brainchild of three local artists whoproducts.Thereally powerfully with other people who are good at met while selling their art at events.arealsoceramics,other things besides what youre good at and make Theygottoknoweachotherbycandles and other items. something really cool. What started as a side hustle comparing notes on the good andBesides making the art affordable,of selling her art at local fairs is now a full-time job.bad of each event. After one whosethe group is mindful of making the events goodEach of them brings a different art style to the sales were particularly disappoint- for the artist vendors. They provide clear informa- sale. Crandall (@imperfectstudioart) thrifts frames ing, they had an idea: Why not create our own arttion and enough lead time for artists to plan theirand creates whimsical paintings that spill onto the sale but make the art affordable? sales strategy, includingframe.Stanek(@studionumbernine)paintswa-We felt like an affordable concept would workwant to create to fit the price limit. They also want really well in SOMA, where folks are very inter- the events to have a fun, inclusive vibe.ested in art, says co-founder Natalie Crandall.TheartistshavehadtwoSOMAAffordable Crandall, along with cofounders Ken StanekArt Sale events this year: one indoors at Arties in andSumanaGhosh-Witherspoon,noticedthatMaplewood in the spring and the other outdoors sometimes price was a barrier to purchase. Some- attheSpringfieldAvenueGazebo(inconjunc-one might fall in love with a piece but wouldnttion with the Springfield Avenue Partnership) in buy it because it was out of their price range. the fall. The under $200 sales strategy appears to So they set a price limit of $200 for all art atbe working. Crandall and Stanek say theyve had the sale. Its mostly fine art, including drawings,some of their best days at these markets.paintings,photographs,digitalillustrationsandCrandall spent 17 years in education as a teacher more. They come in a variety of forms, includingand coach before returning to her love of paintingKen Stanek at his Studionumbernine artist booth at small canvases or prints, cards, stickers and otherduringthepandemic.ShesaysitsamazingthatArties. Photo by Magie Serpica.34/ matters magazine / holiday 2025'