FACS students come together to plan and host first Maker’s Market
The LaHaye Event Space was filled with holiday cheer and local artisan creations Dec. 2 for the first Maker’s Market.
The market was created and planned by Chelsea Milks, director and professor of FACS: Event Planning and Professional & Creative Industries. Milks’ FACS 324 class was a large part of the event, with students working individually to create items and participate as vendors at the event. Students spent the semester forming ideas for their brand, creating products and even running social media pages for their business.
Milks’ FACS 432 class also got involved by designing the layout and aesthetics of the Maker’s Market and several other event planning majors volunteered for the event as well.
Attendees at the event went from table to table, shopping products such as handmade jewelry, tote bags, Christmas ornaments and more.
Many local vendors also participated in the market, with local food vendors such as The Bagel & I and Holy Heaven Cookie Co. offering treats to those shopping during the event.
Milks said that the primary reason for the event was community outreach, as the class partnered with the community and learned how to plan a vendor event.
“For us, it’s a hands-on project for our students to take what they’ve created and apply it,” Milks said. “We also really value community outreach.”
FACS 324 student Kathryn Mattica enjoyed how the event gave her insight into how to run a business.
“It’s a different type of class because you spend the semester leading up to one kind of event, so it’s a great lesson into starting and running a business,” Mattica said. “You also get to see how much talent there is on campus.”
The FACS department will be holding the third annual Liberty Bridal Expo March 24, allowing students and the community to come together and network, as well as give attendees the opportunity to connect with vendors for their weddings.
Students can stay up-to-date with the FACS department by following them on Instagram or visiting their website.
Smith is the news editor for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X
FACS department had this first ever Maker’s Market. What a wonderful time. Our event planning and professional & creative industries, and fashion merchandising students were very involved. Thank you Dr. Milks for supervising this event! over 1300 guests from the community came through!