Shepherd University senior Margaret Orlando, left, chats with Art Market sellers Elliana Blevins and Kimberly Workman, right, in Evolve on Friday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The Shepherd University Department of Contemporary Art and Theater’s annual Art Market came back to life last week, as students who took Professor of Art Sonya Evanisko’s Art Market class filled Evolve with a vibrant array of artistic designs.

For graphic design student Japheth Whitmore, participating in the class and market was an opportunity to learn how to create unique art and market it to a paying audience.

“The idea behind this, is that in the graphic design student group that I’m with, I used to bring up Mothman a couple times,” Whitmore said, referring to one of a number of cryptids that he had featured on laser-engraved wooden ornaments and coasters. “When Art Market came around, I thought, ‘How I could market this?’ Selling cryptid merchandise is a fun thing to do. I ended up expanding it into a bunch of cryptid designs, so that I have two from each state in the surrounding area.”

Whitmore said that, after receiving an overwhelmingly positive response at the market to his cryptids, which also included characters like Bigfoot, Snallygaster, the Flatwoods monster and Chessie, he plans to open up an Etsy shop selling similar merchandise.

Many other Art Market sellers had similar plans to use what they had learned through this class to sell art, both at in-person events similar to the Art Market and on online platforms.

Shepherd University Professor of Art Sonya Evanisko, left, chats with Assistant Professor of Business Administration James Dovel and College of Business Dean Ben Martz outside of the Art Market on Friday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

“I’ve enjoyed this so much, I think I’m going to continue it as a business — at least during the summers, when I’m not in school 24/7,” said painting major Elliana Blevins, noting “BookTok” or book-related TikToks, inspired her multi-media art in the market. “Sonya encouraged me to take the class. It’s been very stressful, but once everything started coming together, it’s been really cool!”

The students in the Art Market may be getting a helping hand in actualizing their art business dreams from their fellow students in the College of Business, according to College of Business Dean Ben Martz.

“We have embedded in the business program, a capstone class. We usually bundle three or four or five students into a capstone project together every semester, who then create a business plan for an actual business. The possibility exists to have an artist ask for a capstone project to be focused on their business idea,” Martz said, after taking a walk through the Art Market on Friday afternoon.

Community members gaze at the work of Shepherd University art students in this year’s Art Market at Evolve on Friday. Tabitha Johnston