Jordan Gage of Chronically Queer Co. Grayce Howe Photos.
Arranged across a fold-up table lay sketches of hearts in different colors, minimalist abstract line art, depictions of cats, and portraits of prominent public figures such as Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda. Artist Jordan Gage, professionally known as Chronically Queer, stood among them, ready to share the art with dozens of new friends.
Last Saturday, over 15 artists and makers gathered at Lotta Studios’ ninth annual Anti-mall-Shop-Small, a holiday market focused on small, independent and creative businesses at 903 Whalley Ave. in New Haven's Westville neighborhood. Since Lotta opened in 2014, the anti-mall has continued to grow, stopping only once in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It began out of providing a platform for all my extremely talented friends to sell their work,” said Mistina Hanscom, co-founder and co-owner of Lotta Studio and founder of the Anti-Mall. “It was like a micro ecosystem of supporting local artists and also giving gifts I was excited to give.”
Hanscom explained that when she and her husband, Luke Hanscom, initially opened Lotta, money was tight, and Anti-Mall allowed for the positive spread of local and small holiday shopping and let her give gifts to her loved ones that were heartfelt and affordable.
To Hanscom’s point, Saturday’s market seemed to have a gift for everyone. From handmade rugs to skincare products to clothing and fashion essentials, local vendors brought in an array of goods meant to brighten the lives of their fellow community members during the holiday season.
“I’d much rather people have my art than me have their money,” said Gage, whose visual art prints are ticketed at a suggested donation expense depending on the piece, with no pieces falling under a required fee.
Multiple participants described not only the social and personal benefits of shopping locally, but the positive economic impact it has on New Haven. Buying gifts from artists in the community—rather than chain stores or retail giants like Amazon—means that more dollars stay in New Haven, directly supporting community members who work and live in the region.
“We give back greater to the economy,” said Sami Joe Artus, the founder of Florapathecarie Natural Beauty. “Large portions are spent in the community and we also employ locally when we are able to.”
Artus also pointed to the sustainability aspect of supporting small businesses. As a business owner of a completely vegan skincare and cosmetics company, she sources materials locally whenever possible, to both support the city and care for the environment.
“By buying local you are supporting a large part of your community,” Artus said, “Not just one person but usually many.”
The value of shopping small echoed throughout the event as each business owner built bonds out of shared interests. Each artist put their own touches on their work, making them the best salesman for their products. Each transaction felt personal, intimate.
“The biggest part of it is that you’re specifically contributing to a person,” said Gage. “A local person.”
Founder of Neighborhood Rug Dealer, Zoë Phillips learned how to tuft two years ago at MakeHaven, and has since let her personality flow through each of her rugs. It allows her to give back to the community that introduced her to her craft.
“It’s a great way to get out and meet people in your community,” Phillips said, admiring being a part of Anti-Mall. “Keeping the money and resources flowing within the people you care about and the city you care about.”
The neighborhood response was strong on Saturday, as Westville residents prepared for the holidays, shopped thoughtfully and found connections with one another.
Owner of Black Goat Milk Clothiers, Anthony Murrell has been vending at Anti-Mall for the past four years. Murrell, who has a clothing line that reflects his own personal style, admires the diversity in people that the proximity to surrounding neighborhoods Lotta Studio has, making the turnout of the event cultured and valuable.
“There’s something to be said about the variety of demographics and personalities of people in the neighborhood,” Murrell said, “It keeps things colorful,”
Murrell added that the presence of support in New Haven is strong which helps the community be there for one another, year round and especially as the holidays approach.
“I’m looking forward to peace on earth,” Murrell said, hoping the love in the city can continue to spread each day.
Grayce Howe was the Arts Paper's 2024 New Haven Academy intern and is now in her senior year. The New Haven Academy internship is a program for NHA juniors that pairs them with a professional in a field that is interesting to them. Grayce plans to continue writing for the Arts Paper throughout her senior year, so keep an eye out for her byline in these pages!