Forty-six young artists will set up shop at Market Street The Woodlands on Saturday, Aug. 29, selling original artwork they created themselves at the third annual Young Makers Market.
The free outdoor event, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., showcases students ages 9 to 18 from The Woodlands and Montgomery County who applied, were selected and then trained through a full-day entrepreneurship workshop before earning their booth space.
The Woodlands Arts Council, the nonprofit behind the program, hosted that preparatory workshop Saturday, Aug. 8, at Woodforest National Bank. Local professionals walked the young artists through customer engagement, pricing and how to tell the story behind their work.
All 46 earned their spot.
Keynote speaker Michelle Giuseppetti Old, an architect at Kirksey Architecture whose public art installations dot The Woodlands, delivered the keynote address. Old is part of the artist group O.M.G., which created the You Are Loved Bench along The Woodlands Waterway.
"Creating great art is only part of the journey," said Noemi Gonzalez, who chairs the Young Makers Market and serves as Market Street general manager and Woodlands Arts Council board director. "This workshop gives students the confidence and entrepreneurial skills to share their work with others, connect with customers, and experience what it's like to be a working artist."
Amber, a high school senior participating for the second time, said she hopes to make deeper connections with buyers and learn why they respond to her pieces.
The market launched in 2024 with 50 young artists and has drawn strong interest since. Applications doubled in its second year, according to The Woodlands Arts Council. This year's cohort includes no 2025 repeats: the program requires previous-year participants to sit out a cycle, opening spots for fresh talent. Returning artists from 2024, like Amber, are eligible again.
Workshop presenters included Blaine Decker, Cody McGullion, Mike White, Megan Pieters, Michael Ellis, Amanda Ellis, Kayla Trascher and Cameron Klepac. Sponsors include The Woodlands Compounding Pharmacy, Market Street The Woodlands, Hello Woodlands and Woodlands Online. Chick-fil-A The Woodlands provided lunch for participants at the workshop.
Visitors can preview artwork by this year's young artists at thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/businesses/ymmartists before attending.
If you go
- What: Young Makers Market
- When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (rain date: Saturday, Sept. 12)
- Where: Market Street The Woodlands
- Cost: Free and open to the public
Coming up from The Woodlands Arts Council: The Woodlands Fine Craft, Art & Design Show, Sept. 26–27 at Market Street.
