Flagler Creates! comes to west lawn Nov. 17

By Marne Burghoffer | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The second annual Flagler Creates! will take place on Flagler College’s West Lawn on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thirty-seven booths of handcrafted items will be set up to promote the entrepreneurial efforts of Flagler students, staff, alumni and family. Flagler Creates! began three years ago as the brainchild of Marsha LeDuke, administrative support for the Flagler College Counseling Center, and Shonas Kibbee, assistant Registrar. It is now widely recognized at the school, involving the entire Flagler College campus.

The two staff members are both experienced in making and selling jewelry at shows. They thought that giving the Flagler family the opportunity to do the same for their work would be a great idea and learning experience.

Participants pay a small fee for a booth and have the chance to display and sell their handmade work for 100 percent of the profit. All proceeds and donations to Flagler Creates! go to the Flagler Annual Fund and all who contribute are added as donors to the college.

There is a wide variety of products this year including jewelry, photography, hand-sewn bags and many other original creations. LeDuke and Kibbee have put a lot of thought into planning the event and do their best to accommodate the participants. For example booths in direct competition with similar products are separated. Also, beginner artists are offered workshops on ways to get their work noticed and sold, and are placed next to booths with more experienced artists that can show them the ropes.

“We’re really trying to promote the entrepreneurial spirit that Henry Flagler was all about,” said LeDuke. “It’s great to see students so excited to be involved and learn through their experience.”

The event has given Flagler students, alumni and staff the opportunity to feature their creations in local shops in the past and gets names into the public eye.

“It’s not a high maintenance day at all. It’s really enjoyable,” said Kibbee. In addition to the vendors, more clubs are participating this year than before. There will be face painting by Flagler Best Buddies and live music, including a performance by Flagler College SPIRIT.

“Flagler Creates gives the opportunity to boost careers and open doors for passionate entrepreneurs. It’s really about interacting and learning,” said Kibbee.