With the Oculus Holiday Market in full swing, I sat down with Rachael Stein, the General Manager of Art to Ware to discuss what you can find at the market, what it means for Art to Ware to have a space in the Oculus, and so much more. Keep reading to hear from one of the original Art to Ware team members, don’t forget to check out the Art to Ware Oculus Holiday Market, open until January 3rd, and happy holidays from everyone here at Art to Ware!
KL: Tell me a bit about yourself. What is your role for Art to Ware?
RS: I'm the General Manager for Art to Ware! I've been with the team since our first pop-up in the West Village, and now you can find me around at our three current pop-ups in Chelsea, Port Authority, and at the Oculus Holiday Market. I do a little bit of everything, but most especially, share a love of wearable art with our fashionable customers and community.
KL: Tell me about the holiday market. What is it? Where is it? What kinds of items can you find in the holiday market? Etc.
RS: We are so excited to have just opened a cart at the Oculus Holiday Market in lower Manhattan. The Oculus has set up a super adorable indoor winter wonderland scene along with six carts featuring BIPOC-owned small businesses - including Art to Ware! We have curated a unique selection of gifts for everyone in your life (including yourself!), from handmade face masks and fun mugs perfect for hot winter bevvies to holiday party-ready statement earrings and one-of-a-kind handbags.
KL: What makes this location so unique compared to our other locations?
RS: This is our smallest location yet! Additionally, whereas our other pop-up locations are more focused on fashion and clothing, our holiday cart is stocked with unique gift items.
KL: What is your favorite item in the holiday market?
RS: Obviously I love everything we're featuring at the holiday market, but some items I particularly enjoy are the miniature paintings by Ooh Baby (super affordable original art!) and a book called Cat Zodiac (cats and astrology together, need I say more?).
KL: Why should people shop at the market for gifts this holiday season?
RS: Not only does the Art to Ware cart at the holiday market have the perfect gift for just about everyone (yep, still including yourself!), but shopping at our cart means shopping local, supporting small businesses, supporting BIPOC-owned and -run businesses, and supporting independent designers and artists.
KL: What does it mean for Art to Ware to have a location in the Oculus?
RS: Being at the Oculus is such an amazing opportunity for us! An incredible amount of people pass through this transit hub and iconic destination every day, which means we get to connect with a lot more people and grow our fashionable, socially-conscious community, which in turn allows us to continue to elevate and provide more opportunities for the talented independent designers and artists we work with.
Check out the Oculus Holiday Market in the Oculus until January 3rd and follow us on Instagram, @arttoware, for up-to-date content on the Holiday Market and more!
