Celebrating Success at Merchant City Festival

The Merchant City Festival in Glasgow has once again proven to be a vibrant platform for emerging talent and community collaboration. For the second year running, Made with Care had the privilege of participating, showcasing the creativity and hard work of young care-experienced artists from across Scotland. This year’s festival, attended on the 24th and 26th of July, provided the opportunity for our collective of creatives to present their work, test new ideas, and connect with a wider audience - benefiting from the support of Glasgow Life and Merchant City Festival.

A Platform for Young Creatives to Shine

The Merchant City Festival provided a unique space where young creatives from Made with Care could display and sell their own work, and the work of their peers alongside other professionals. This collective effort not only highlighted individual talent but also fostered a sense of community and shared purpose. Located next to the performance zone, international visitors and our stallholders alike enjoyed live music, street theatre and dance performances throughout the weekend, which added to the lively and inspiring atmosphere.

The young artists brought a diverse range of products to the festival, from handcrafted zines, prints and cards to digitally designed t-shirts and illustrated stickers. This variety attracted a broad audience and sparked meaningful conversations with visitors from across the globe drawn to the artwork and unique perspectives of Made with Care creatives.

Support from Glasgow Life and Community Impact

Glasgow Life played a crucial role in making this participation possible - providing our stall, support for mentoring and funds for samples to be created. This valuable support helped Made with Care’s participants refine their design ideas, digitise artwork and test out different product types and production methods - essential in helping our young creatives grow both as artists and entrepreneurs.

The mentoring sessions allowed participants to receive feedback from experienced professionals, develop confidence, troubleshoot practical artworking issues and deliver to deadlines. This guidance also encouraged experimentation and innovation, giving the young creatives confidence to explore new directions in their work.

Testing Ideas and Building Confidence

The festival was not just about selling products; it was a chance for the young creatives to test their ideas in a real-world setting. Engaging directly with customers offered immediate feedback, invaluable for developing new products. This experience helped participants understand market preferences, pricing strategies, practice customer interaction approaches and market stall logistics.

By working together at the stall, our young creatives also strengthened their collective group. They shared stories, exchanged tips, showed work in progress, and celebrated each other’s successes. This sense of belonging and mutual support is a powerful motivator and a key ingredient in sustaining creative projects over time.

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The Vibes and Atmosphere of the Festival

The location next to the performance zone meant that the stall was surrounded by a continuous flow of music and live acts. This energetic and welcoming environment drew in festival-goers and was a point of conversation and enjoyment for the team, who were visited by street performers and kept moving by the brass bands and teams of dancers.

The festival atmosphere encouraged interaction and curiosity. Visitors were not just buying products; they were engaging with the stories behind each piece. This connection between creator and audience is essential for building lasting support and appreciation for local art.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Opportunities

Participating in the Merchant City Festival has opened doors for Made with Care and its young creatives. The exposure gained at the event has helped build a wider audience and created opportunities for future collaborations and sales. The experience also highlighted areas for growth, such as expanding product ranges and improving marketing approaches.

The support from Glasgow Life remains a vital part of this journey. Continued mentoring and access to platforms like the Merchant City Festival will help nurture the talents of these young creatives and encourage more young people across Scotland to explore their artistic potential.

Final Thoughts on Community and Creativity

The success at the Merchant City Festival shows how community support and opportunities can transform creative ideas into tangible achievements. Made with Care’s young creatives demonstrated not only their artistic skills but also their ability to work together and engage with the public, gaining a confidence and a taste for future enterprising avenues to explore.

This event was a reminder that creativity thrives when nurtured by a supportive environment. One of our young creatives was delighted to sell their work for the very first time! A design that a different young creative wasn't sure about proved a hit among customers. There was stock sold out, and work that was admired with enthusiasm and sparked conversation. A successful and hard-working weekend for everyone involved, with new experiences, and many happy customers!

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If you want to support young artists or learn more about Made with Care’s projects, keep an eye out for future events through our social media and blog, and browse our products on the shop page. Together, we can help more young creatives turn their ideas into reality and enrich our cultural landscape.