Made in Tucson Market goes interactive | News

Made in Tucson Market strives to bring out local artists. 

Founded in 2018, the market is known for giving fledgling artisans a community-based alternative to the Fourth Avenue Street Fair. Meanwhile, it offers a seat at the card tables to Tucson locals who tapped into their creative side during the pandemic when the events reconvened after the postponements of 2020 and 2021.

But this winter, as Tucson’s favorite open-air maker market returns this December 1, event-goers can make art out of even the garbage they toss away.

“We’re going to repurpose all of the waste, sort through it, and there won’t be any traditional trash cans,” said Nicole Carrillo, one of the primary organizers behind MinT. Instead, the market will be equipped with “waste mitigation stations” where volunteers will help visitors separate waste into different categories — compost, recyclables, hard-to-recycle plastics and more. 

“It’s a pretty daunting task,” Carrillo admitted, “but it’s also a fun one because it feels like we’re really making a difference. We’ve done it on a smaller scale before, but this time we’re ramping it up.”

This zero-waste concept has been in development for some time, but it’ll take center stage at this year’s market. As Carrillo puts it, “We’re so used to throwing things away, but there really is no ‘away.’ It’s been rewarding to say, ‘Hold on, let’s sort through this and repurpose as much as we can.’”

Part of the waste sorted will even be made into art, courtesy of Bottle Rocket, a local company that repurposes glass into sand for the construction materials used in the shop’s glassware and concrete creations. 

“Anita Goodrich, the owner of Bottle Rocket, has this gigantic crusher,” Carrillo explained. “She just puts the glass bottles in, and they come out as sand.”

“I don’t really know what to anticipate,” said Goodrich of the expected haul, noting that glass bottles from specialty drinks like artisanal sodas, kombucha or local beers typically only constitute a small part of the throw-away items at street fairs. “It depends on the food vendors and what they offer.”

Nevertheless, the opportunity for event-goers to make art from even their discarded craft beer bottles fits in with MinT’s plans to innovate with future markets by creating more interactive experiences. 

“We’re hoping that, in the future, we can create spaces where the public can actually interact with the artists — maybe even create something alongside them,” said Shannon Riggs, also on the MinT organizing team. “It’s always about asking, ‘How do we showcase the artists better, and how do we make the day about these makers?’”

While waste sorting may be the boldest addition this December, it’s not the only thing MinT is adding to enhance the market experience. This year, the Chasse Building Team in Tucson is sponsoring an expanded entertainment platform, bringing more local musicians and performers to the forefront. Carrillo said there will be some entertainment at the December MinT, but she expects that to expand in time for the spring market.

“We’ve had entertainment in the past, but next spring, we’re planning to put out a call for even more local performers,” she said. “We want this to feel like a real community celebration.”

Since its inception, Made in Tucson has been more than just a market — it’s a launching pad for Tucson’s makers. The market has grown from an intimate gathering of about 50 vendors to a bustling showcase featuring 300 artists. 

“When we started, we wanted to create space for everyone, but as demand increased, we realized we had to be selective,” said Riggs. “We got over 500 applications this time, and we can only fit about half.”

Even with the jury process, MinT remains dedicated to giving new makers a chance. 

“Each time, we make sure to include new vendors who’ve never done it before, so you’re not just seeing the same old folks every time” said DeeDee Koenen, another MinT organizer who, along with Riggs and Jennifer Radler, co-owns Pop Cycle, a shop specializing in handmade goods in the heart of the 4th Avenue district. 

Koenen says this approach helps keep the event fresh and exposes emerging artists to a large, supportive audience. 

“It’s really about the community we’re building. Vendors talk to each other, share resources and support one another.”

Carrillo sees the market’s impact beyond just the event day, pointing out that MinT has been a stepping stone for many local businesses. 

“To see how many brick-and-mortar shops have popped up as a result of Made in Tucson is incredible,” she said. “It’s given people the confidence to take their products from a booth at a market to a full-scale store. It’s a good feeling to see local businesses grow out of this.”

One of the more recent developments in MinT’s mission to support Tucson’s creatives is the Coalition Space, a dedicated community venue at 311 E. Seventh Street, funded in part by MinT proceeds. Opened in 2023, the space hosts workshops, small markets and community events throughout the year. 

“It’s like an incubator space for people with ideas,” Koenen explained. “We’ve seen people start small here and then grow into their own locations. It’s a great resource for testing new concepts without the high costs.”

“At first, it started slow, and we were putting on some smaller markets there and just kind of building,” Riggs added. “But now it’s booked almost every day, either with classes or events, and on weekends, people are using it for their own markets. And how great is that, to be able to use it to cultivate these small businesses and let them do their own thing?”

The space usually is available for $25 an hour, “but everything is always negotiable,” Riggs said. “If there’s a community group that needs a meeting place or an organization that’s helping the homeless, like Community on Wheels, we offer the space free of charge when possible,” she says. 

“Just give us a little for our toilet paper and paper towels, you know,” she added, with a laugh. “Money making is not the point of it. It’s a way for MinT’s impact to extend beyond commerce and become a hub for social good in Tucson.”

Despite the increasing popularity of MinT, the organizers remain committed to keeping the market local. 

“We’ve had people ask if we’d consider including vendors from Phoenix, but staying Tucson-focused is important to us,” Koenen said. “Because it is about more than just the commerce of it. It’s also about the community that it creates. It’s cool that the vendors aren’t just selling things. They’re talking to each other, using each other as resources and sharing information.”

Riggs believes this sense of community is what makes Tucson’s creative scene special. 

“Historically — although maybe not as much anymore — Tucson’s always been a very affordable place for people to come live in and create. And for artists, our natural beauty is inspiring,” she said. “There’s a free-spirited vibe here that really supports creativity. I think that’s why we’ve become a sort of microcommunity for makers.”

MinT is the grand finale of a weekend-long celebration of localism, beginning with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

“This was our intention from the start,” Koenen said. “We chose the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so people with family in town could come and experience what Tucson’s maker community has to offer.” 

“A lot of other events bring vendors from all over, but Tucson has so much creative energy,” Goodrich said. Unlike larger markets that have become more commercialized, Goodrich says she loves how MinT keeps it local.

“I consider it one of the best,” she said. “It’s probably the only market I’ll do this year.”