INK Fest returned for a fifth year with record participation, drawing more than 900 people to its largest showcase yet of student and alumni artists and their work.
The 105 artists featured at the market, which was held Feb. 13 and 14 in the Student Center, sold more than $52,000 in prints, stickers, zines and original work, said Eddie Stevenson, president for Columbia’s Illustration Student Group, which organizes INK Fest.
Last year’s event drew more than 700 attendees across two days. This year, event online registration remained open until the day before the festival instead of two weeks before the start.
“It gets bigger every single year, and we’re always just trying to one-up ourselves. And it’s just such a big motivator, and it puts ISG on the map, not only for the college, but also just community-wide,” said Stevenson , a senior traditional animation major. “We want people to see Columbia as this huge student motivated creative hub, and I think that this is a really good event to push that.”
He added that the student-led structure makes INK Fest a “no-risk” opportunity for student and alumni artists to gain experience in tabling and vending. Artists submit applications for a table in the fall semester.
Dane Coyne, a sophomore fine arts major, sold her original prints at INK Fest for the first time this year. After missing the opportunity last year, she said she was excited and nervous to participate. Though she has tabled at other events, she said INK Fest felt more “inviting.”
“I really don’t make art for the purpose of selling it, so when I get the opportunity to sell it, it’s really gratifying,” Coyne said. “I’m like, ‘oh people actually really do want that.’ It just kind of validates that I’m working towards something, and it’s worth it.”
Since 2022, ShopColumbia has partnered with the Illustration Student Group to process sales, allowing vendors to focus on customers. Tracey Drobot Brouwer, operations coordinator for ShopColumbia, supports artists by managing tax collection and ensuring sales comply with city and state guidelines.
“The Illustration Student Group is very organized,” Brouwer said. “Every year, they up the ante. I think this year has been really great with the board getting the word out.”
Brouwer said many customers from the South Loop community attended.
“They’re just coming to support the artist,” she said. “It’s been really exciting. We’ve seen sales have been up significantly from previous years.”
Maggie Greenleaf, junior film and television major and a part of the student outreach team for the ISG, has helped with INK Fest since her first year.
“I’ve never seen an event like this before,” she said of the student-run art market.
Greenleaf said the welcoming environment benefits artists by providing valuable experience and fostering connections.
“The fact that there are only students selling their artwork and showing what they can do at their best, it makes me feel confident to know that other people are seeing this and networking and getting to know these people not only as artists, but as genuine human beings,” she said.
Lillian Mullenax, a senior illustration major who was participating for the first time, said the event offers meaningful preparation for artists interested in professional tabling.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for all artists. Not just illustration, but fine art or outside artists as well, like alumni,” they said. “I think it’s also really good practice if you’re planning on going into tabling, I’m really glad that Columbia has this option.”
Allen Lucas, the coordinator of student organizations and part-time instructor for the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, oversees student groups as they put together events like INK Fest.
“This is something I love about the way student organizations are run at Columbia,” Lucas said. ”INK Fest has been running for several years. The student team behind it is so incredible and puts so much energy and effort into making this really successful event.”
Lucas said he has seen INK Fest grow bigger and better every year as more students and volunteers come together to make the event run smoothly.
“It’s just clear how much love is put into this event,” he said. “I think that’s what really makes it shine.”
Copy edited by Katie Peters
Resumen en español
El 13 y 14 de febrero, el grupo estudiantil de ilustración organizó su quinto evento de “INK Fest”, con una asistencia récord de más de 900 asistentes. El evento ofreció una oportunidad para los 105 estudiantes y ex-alumnos de mostrar y vender su arte, ganando más de $52,000. Tanto los participantes que regresaron como los de primera vez dijeron que apreciaron la experiencia profesional de compartir y vender su arte.
Resumen en español por Sofía Oyarzún
Editado por Brandon Anaya
