All photos by Christopher Moz, C’27.
The Makers House held its bi-annual farmers market during the spring semester on May 1 by hosting 30 individual vendors, small businesses, and local farmers as they showcased their talents and sold their wares. More than 200 students, faculty, staff, administrators, and local community residents attended the event, browsing tables filled with fresh vegetables, eggs, home-baked goods, wooden utensils, wreaths, handmade jewelry, coffee, matcha, soaps, candles, greeting cards, fabric potholders, rosaries, resin art, jams, and pottery.
Director of the Makers House Emma Edwards, C’24, was selling her ceramic bowls, mugs, and spoon rests. The glazes were colored cool sage greens and warm cream tones. One of the large bowls had a flower-patterned garlic grater carved in the bottom.
“The Makers House homies (student leaders), specifically those who sell their goods, truly look forward to our bi-annual markets each semester,” she said. “It is fulfilling to watch their interests, skills, and motivation flourish toward learning the complicated strategy of selling handmade wares.”
In January, Mount St. Mary’s University received a $15,000 grant from Delaplaine Foundation for Makers House Equipment for Community Workshops, namely, to support the Shop Studio (woodworking) and Ceramics Studio. Equipment purchased with funds from the award allowed students and makers to safely and easily fire ceramics pieces and make unique wooden utensils and cutting boards for the market.
“It was incredibly well attended,” said Associate Professor of Art and Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Nick Hutchings, MFA, as he grilled free hot dogs for attendees. “Many of the vendors were enthusiastic about their sales and their connection with the Mount community. Several vendors told me they made more money at our market than at other local farmer’s markets.”
Nearby, a caricature booth, a blacksmith’s table, and a build-your-own herb garden station were also in demand. Last year’s farmers market had 27 vendors, and the event attracted roughly 120 attendees. This year’s farmers market saw an approximate 11% increase in the number of vendors and more than a 65% increase in the number of attendees. Both Edwards and Hutchings believe partnerships with the Seton Shrine, Good Soil Farm, Inc. and regular exposure and events have helped build community one experience at a time.
“It is not what we make, but the community we share in making it,” Hutchings says.
Edwards, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art education and is pursuing a master’s in instructional design and delivery, became the director in 2025. She held a solo honor’s exhibition at the Williams Gallery in 2024 titled Your Motherhood Imprinted in Soul which was a reflection on the gifts passed down to her through motherly figures. She created a personal collection of memories with charcoal drawings, ceramic pieces, and natural elements that reference her earliest years of comfort and peace.
The Makers House is a unique third space that focuses on community building through the lens of creative making, is comprised of five studios: shop, craft, ceramics, digital fabrication lab, and music lab. The Makers House is a space of belonging and connection that is different than the classroom or dorm. Students have taken ownership of the space and worked together in teams to foster a welcoming and engaging community.
Delaplaine Foundation, founded in 2001, is a private family foundation based in Frederick, Maryland, dedicated to the enrichment of communities, families, and quality of life for all. The Foundation supports programs to strengthen the arts and culture, educational advancement, health, and human services in Frederick County, as well as historical preservation and spiritual enlightenment in Frederick County and surrounding areas.