Art Mart Pop-Up Shop at the Iowa State Memorial Union
Discover budding artists and professional makers at the Art Mart Pop-Up Shop held in the Iowa State Memorial Union Art Gallery from May 12 through 15, 2026. The hours will be Tues. from 4 – 7 p.m., Wed. from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Thurs. and Fri. from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Art Gallery is located on the 1st floor of the MU.
Art Mart is a biannual event organized by the MU Workspace and the Gaffer’s Guild and features 17 artists this spring.
Charlie Bledsoe is a multimedia artist who reimagines classical Italian sculpture through a painterly lens. She has prints of these works alongside fine jewelry that reflects the same attention to form and detail in her metalwork.
Taytum Boens makes statement jewelry by sculpting gold and silver wire into swirly, wearable designs. Focusing on organic forms and jewel-toned colors, each piece is detailed with beads and acrylic flowers, creating distinctive handcrafted accessories.
Maureen Burke creates encaustic art by layering melted colored wax, images, and ephemera into soft, ethereal works. She also makes beeswax food wraps using bright patterned cotton—an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics
John Burright is a woodturner working with natively sourced lumber to create the cutest lineup of penguins, chickens, and gnomes—plus refined lidded boxes, pens, and wine corks that show the beauty of real wood grain.
Sophie Chitty designs illustrated paper goods inspired by leafy houseplants, nostalgic swans, inviting book stacks, and sleepy cats. Her collection of greeting cards, bookmarks, buttons, and stickers invites you to curl up with a book and return to the joy of snail mail.
Bree Engelhardt throws functional pottery rooted in traditional Japanese and American ceramic forms. She brings movement to each piece through image transfers, painted underglaze, and high-fire glazes.
Judy Lemish is both a master seamstress and upcycler – a perfect combination in our book! We are fans of her groovy retro tote bags, cozy felted wool pins, and earrings with fun bead parings. Don’t miss her quippy cards and magnets, too!
Jeni Nguyen’s world is full of tiny treasures, from stitched kawaii plushie keychains to clay desk-buddy cats that perch on plants or computer screens. Her sweet and sparkly collection also includes bracelets, rings, and phone charms.
Kat Schmidt is a painter and printmaker with a “delightfully off-kilter imagination,” bringing vibrant characters to life through prints, notebooks, stickers, and acrylic keychains.
Rhonda Scott is a lampwork artist creating her own glass beads, which she incorporates into jewelry alongside natural gemstones and metals. She also works as a paper artist, specializing in marbled paper, cards, handbound books, and upcycled journals.
Anka Snider creates handmade jewelry and original art that celebrates individuality, including vibrant beaded earrings and necklaces, as well as playful, color-filled prints.
Audrey Stirling is a metalsmith inspired by organic forms in nature. She crafts rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants using intricate wire wrapping, often incorporating gemstones, shells, and other found materials to create distinctive statement pieces.
Hannah Tan stitches adorable crochet roses, turning them into two charming, functional pieces. Use a rose magnet to display your favorite photo on the fridge or wear a tiny floral bobby pin.
Karen Van Wert captures florals and Midwest landscapes in her photographs, transforming them into bold pendants, mini prints, and desk calendars. She’s also a skilled Kumihimo artist, using traditional Japanese braiding techniques to create intricate beaded jewelry.
Hope Waggoner’s 3D-printed collection of articulated animals includes axolotls, stingrays, sharks, and more—each one made to wiggle, flex, and charm.
Caroline Warren (Freese) depicts animals and nature in distinct folk-style drawings that are transferred onto her hand-thrown functional pottery. Her artwork also appears in coloring books, greeting cards, and stickers.
Valerie Williams throws and hand-builds functional stoneware pottery under the moniker “Daily Dish”. Her pieces are designed for every meal —from coffee and cereal to dinner at the table. Beautiful, useful, and made to be lived with.
Gaffer’s Guild members are skilled in the art and science of glassblowing, producing a stunning array of vibrant pieces. Their collection features everything from vases and beverageware to ornaments, paperweights, and sculptures.
The Workspace has a mixed bag of fun additions to the event, including pottery from beginner students, the ever-popular mystery boxes, and buttons galore.
The Memorial Union is located at 2229 Lincoln Way on the Iowa State campus, and hourly parking is available in the ramp on the east side of the building. This event is free and open to the public.