Artist Testimonials

Are you a current or former ShopColumbia Artist and would like to share your story? Email us at: [email protected]

I think that it really helped show me that people like my art. At first I just sold at ShopColumbia because I thought a little extra money would be nice, but didn’t really expect to sell anything. But getting that first paycheck, it wasn’t the money that I got that the fact that people bought my work. It really helped to inspire me and become more confident in my work! - Mae Mendoza (Animation, 2027)


Selling at ShopColumbia helped me gain the confidence that what I create can bring delight to others and has motivated me to keep the focus of my art on sharing fun and love. - Amy Hilber (Interdisciplinary Arts, 2011)


ShopColumbia got my name out there! After being featured in the Dark Market, I had numerous people say they saw my doll photo print in the shop. I wasn't expecting that kind of recognition so quick coming in as a freshman. - Michael Kowalkowski (Fine Arts, 2027)


ShopColumbia provided a very beginner friendly start into vending with my art. Through selling there I learned how to make a product completely of my own accord and use website services to buy wholesale of my own designs. Because they take care of the packaging, it is a lower cost entry point to test out designs and products. The staff has always been kind and encouraging to me and have helped me maintain standards for how I should be treated as an artist communicating with storefronts. My paychecks have not been massive, but they’ve always been on time and have provided a little incentive to brighten even the toughest financial months. - Archer Seaborn (Animation, 2023)


Selling with Shopcolumbia not only introduced me to a more professional setting but it also helped me breakthrough. My class with Prof. Bob was significant because he encouraged Tracey to look at the work of students and he provided an opportunity for me to showcase my work. While I am working on more prints, having my work in a gallery plays a major part in my breakthrough and story. - Osa North (Radio, 2022)


I am forever grateful for ShopColumbia! Not only has my experienced in selling with them helped me hone my skills, but they also gave me the chance to help find my voice in illustration :) My first set of stickers was made for their seasonal event in 2021, and it has only encouraged me to make more since. Not only was there exposure through every piece I made, but also allowed me to experiment and figure out what kind of art I really enjoy making, and how I can share that with others! <3 - KDominiqueArt (BFA Traditional Animation / Minor Illustration, 2025)

Selling with ShopColumbia has helped me gain the confidence to sell my work at events around Chicago. - Lotusfrogs (Music, 2024)


It’s super dope to have stuff being sold in the loop and reaching so many eyes. It’s been great experience with consignment work as well. - Elizabeth Monti (Theatre Design, 2020)


ShopColumbia helped me to share my work with a community of artists and art lovers. Additionally, it has helped me understand consignment as an artist and pursue other opportunities. ShopColumbia continues to be a resource and go to for opportunities to share new concepts and work. - Morgan Hall (Illustration, 2022)


ShopColumbia gave me my first commission, which was working with a client to design a set of letterpress cards matched to a themed event. I learned how to present my ideas, listen to client feedback, create work within a set of parameters, and package my final product in an attractive way. This has helped me navigate my career selling my art at in-person art fairs throughout the Midwest. I have learned to talk about my art process and ideas with a diverse range of art lovers. I negotiate commissions and pricing with increasing ease, and I have a good grasp of my client base and their expectations, as much of the work I produce is informed by a specific art market. - Don Widmer (MFA Interdisciplinary Arts - Book and Paper, 2012)


ShopColumbia has helped me by showcasing my work in a beautiful space with lots of support from the amazing staff! - Ruby Bean (Illustration, 2024)


Selling with ShopColumbia has helped me reach a wider audience and has gotten me familiar with selling and pricing my work. Having my art available and visible in downtown Chicago is such a great opportunity! - Maya Krueger (Illustration, 2024)


It helped me realize that i can share my art, and my love for creation. - Brianna Ramriez (Filmmaking, 2024)

ShopColumbia has helped me by allowing my art to be showcased to the school and anyone who walks inside the shop. - Lizzie Monsreal (Fashion Design, 2019)


ShopColumbia has helped me breakthrough as an artist from the beginning of my college career and seeing that i truly can make a living selling my work. Seeing and experiencing the process of how selling your work with a shop has been so useful and helpful for me as an artist in so many ways. From beginning to research tax forms and asking what they are for and understanding, learning how to price my work with the help of the amazing ShopColumbia staff, to even learning how to print and package my work. Selling with ShopColumbia has been an amazing experience because they have helped me put my work out there in a physical store and help amplify our work and our voices as artists. Being apart of this has helped me grow as an artist in terms of how I can elevate my work and what I can do even better its helped me develop professional practices like daunting tax forms, emailing and meeting art drop off deadlines, and just helping me earn money on the side while on my journey to earn my degree. I'm so proud and happy to have been apart of ShopColumbia's artist's and will forever hold those memories close to my heart. As well as none of this wouldn't have been possible without ShopColumbia's wonderful and kind staff who have been nothing but helpful, kind, and just amazing people to work with. - Sue.Heiiii (Illustration, 2024)


ShopColumbia helped me to talk about my artwork in a professional environment, and helped me to gain the confidence to talk to other companies about promoting my art in other ways like conventions and cosignings. The staff is very sweet, and it helped me to also feel like a professional artist. I'm currently selling a comic book at Quimby's right now, and talking with the staff at ShopColumbia really helped me to pitch that to them. - Clay Borsenik (Illustration, 2022)