Entrepreneur Story Time: ArtWalk Santa Fe Redux

For our very last KAESF event (yup, you read that right), we’re over-the-moon to bring back the fabulous female co-founders of ArtWalk Santa Fe, Alex Streeper and Mara Saxer, joined by their invaluable volunteer, Caitlyn Stuart. When Alex and Mara first shared their story in June 2021, they had just launched their recurring outdoor arts and crafts market, providing local and emerging artists with an open space to sell their products and get exposure to the community. Just two years later, they have built such a strong, loyal following and have created so many incredible partnerships within the community (while positively impacting the bottom lines of oodles of emerging artists!) that it’s highly unlikely you haven’t been to one of their events. Alex and Mara even hold a monthly creative gathering, Crafts and Crafts, for local emerging artists and makers to meet other fellow artists, have a drink and some food, work on their projects and create more connections!

With two years of highly successful events under their belts, I can’t wait for us to hear what have been some of their biggest triumphs and challenges. What’s worked and what hasn’t. How they’ve navigated putting together so many wonderful events and opportunities for creatives, while also all working other jobs as well, cause let’s face it, these events take a LOT of work to coordinate, market and pull off. Fortunately, Alex and Mara have stupendous volunteers, like Caitlyn, and a bevy of incredible community-based sponsors, yet the search for new sponsors and partners to help make their commitment sustainable is an ongoing effort. I’m also looking forward to hearing what we might see next from ArtWalk, what some of their short- and long-term goals are and how we, as their biggest fans, might be able to help ‘em out.

And, we’ll blissfully be gathering in the same place we did for Alex and Mara’s story two years ago, on the big, beautiful lawn at the Santa Fe Brewing Company, which is also an adored ArtWalk sponsor! When you arrive between 6:30 and 7 PM, just head into the Beer Hall to grab yourself a drink. Then, head back outside to order some food from the food truck and meet us on the lawn, where we’ll be schmoozing until about 7 PM, when we’ll start our very last KAESF Story Time. So excited to see you there!