WACO, TX — Before the coronavirus pandemic began in March, the art industry in Waco was thriving.
"We were kind of on a momentum streak, and we just had so many cool events. It seems like there was one every single week," said Aaron Williams, artist and owner of MC Art Supplies.
Williams says the art community has struggled to stay afloat, but nevertheless they've supported each other along the way.
"We've really just had to be adaptable, and the thing is, Waco's artist community is so great because they all come together anyway," said Williams.
Fiona Bond, executive director of Creative Waco, says the organization has decided to launch the website Make It In Waco with hopes of helping local artist.
"It allowed artist and performers and art space businesses to put what they do online and keep earning an income from their work," said Bond.
On a positive note, Aaron Williams says being in quarantine has allowed artists to be more creative and take more time on their work.
"It gave us all a moment to step back and look at our work and revisit why we are doing what we are doing," said Williams. "I feel like it was a blessing in disguise that we were able to focus on what we love to do."
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, artists have one thing in mind.
"And now we are realizing people are starting to think about the holidays," said Bond.
Bond hopes the community will shop local ahead of the holidays and not only check out their website, but also check out the artists who are selling their goods at local events.
"Eastside Market, the farmers market, all of these opportunities are popping up alongside Make It Waco, so people can really engage," said Bond.
