Abiba Biao photo
Elizabeth Laconi, Anne Hartjen, Shayla Streater, and Amayah Smith.
Amid the sea of vendors and artisans on Saturday afternoon at the 27th annual Westville ArtWalk neighborhood festival and arts market, 11-year-old Amayah Smith looked around in awe at the multitude of goods people had to offer, from handmade soaps to crochet plushies. Amayah could imagine herself taking part, so folks better watch out at next year’s ArtWalk for a new business — “‘Mayah’s Joy” — bringing homemade stickers to you.
Behind Amayah, supporting her future entrepreneurial ventures, was her mom, Shayla Streater, observing the place to “scope things out for next year.”
“We want the name ‘Mayah’s Joy’ to create this joyful world,” Streater said. “We need a lot of joy in this place.”
Amayah, a student at SĀHGE Academy, said she felt inspired to start a business because she “wanted to start showing people my art.”
Tagging along on their promenade of ArtWalk were Anne Hartjen and her 11-year-old daughter Elizabeth Laconi. Elizabeth, like Amayah, is an aspiring artisan, and even had her own booth at ArtWalk to sell handmade jewelry.
“My friends started doing it and then we started doing it together on the bus when we were bored,” the Elm City Montessori student said.
Bustling crowds at the Westville Arts Market, which hosted over 50 vendors.
Alisha and Samuel Moten.
The scent of citrus and floral musk greeted customers as they passed by Golden Adorns Living. With their array of candles and travel-based scents, Alisha and Samuel Moten brought a sense of calm to ArtWalk’s hustle and bustle.
Golden Adorns Living was founded in January 2020 after Alisha visited Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa and gotten what she called “post-vacation blues” after returning home.
“If it was up to me, I would be on vacation forever,” she said, “so I started making candles because I wanted to find a way that I can relax in between vacations and escape the daily grind.”
Saturday was Alisha’s first time at Artwalk, and she said she had received a warm welcome and was blown away by the event’s “vibe.”
“It’s like a small town but a more hip small town, and I’m just loving just seeing different artisans and other businesses out here. It’s wonderful,” she said.
Behind her, supporting her every move, was her husband and “candle-sniffer” Samuel, who takes immense pride in supporting his wife’s entrepreneurial venture.
“We have a whole room dedicated to her candles and stuff like that, so it’s really great,” he said.
Golden Adorns Living doesn’t stop there, with Samuel elaborating on plans for the business such as going on wheels and investing in a candle truck storefront and increasing marketing and branding exposure.
“I want people to recognize Golden Adorns Living as a way or a passport to a scented getaway,” Alisha said. “I want them to see us as part of their self-care routine and relaxing at home in between vacations.”
Xavier and Anthony Murrell with Black Goat Milk Clothiers.
Nearby were Xavier and Anthony Murrell, proudly representing their father’s business Black Goat Milk Clothiers. The brand was founded by their dad, from whom Anthony takes his name, while he was a college student at the University of Bridgeport.
Black Goat Milk Clothiers sells a variety of apparel, from t‑shirts, hoodies, jerseys, and hats to sweatshirts and sweatpants, and even includes soap.
“The ‘Black Goat’ is really just supposed to stand for Black excellence, and stand out in the crowd. The milk aspect is supposed to be the nourishment of it all, when we’re out here nourishing the community,” Anthony, 35, explained.
While Black Goat Milk Clothiers has already established a name for itself in the community, the men have even bigger hopes for their father’s business, wanting it to experience new heights.
“I’m trying to see a brick and mortar. I want a storefront,” Anthony said. “I’m seeing quite a few independent clothing businesses pop up with their own storefronts all over the place, not even just in Connecticut, so that’s what I want for my dad.”
Xavier, a 21-year-old junior at UCONN studying biology, agreed.
“I just want to see more clothes sell, more people come through more, a bigger fan base. Just more,” he said.
Lewis “Lulu” Johnson III and Laura Brown.
Meanwhile, over at Edgewood Park, Lewis “Lulu” Johnson III and Laura Brown were spreading awareness about New Haven’s Vision 2034 Comprehensive Plan, which lays out the city’s planning aims for the next 10 years.
Through the city’s Youth @ Work program, Lulu, a 19-year-old musical theater major at Housatonic Community College, has found a way to be engaged in the city through summer employment and has fostered a budding interest in environmentalism.
“I lived here all my life and I wasn’t aware of a lot of things that were happening, especially when it comes to climate change and the environment,” he said, “but I’m glad to be doing this. It helps me give back to my community in a way I never thought I would be able to.”
Lulu attributes his success to his mentor figures, like Steve Winter, the city’s executive director of climate and sustainability, and Max Teirstein, sustainability policy analyst & engagement coordinator.
“For anyone that isn’t aware of what’s happening in the city of New Haven and just wants to help give back and participate in different events and charities and the community, just come out! Literally don’t be afraid to come out,” he said. “Everyone’s very nice. Everyone’s very accepting. It’s very rewarding.”
Folks gather to watch as the New Haven Chinese Cultural Cooperative perform.
As Streater took in the scenery and vibrant crowds, she smiled. It was only 2 p.m. and she had yet to finish exploring all the attractions and sights at ArtWalk, a task that would probably take the whole afternoon.
“I like coming out here to see what different artisans are out here,” she said. “Westville is a community that you get to see familiar faces, so it’s like a reunion.”
Westville’s ArtWalk is such a lovely homegrown festival that has grown. It’s nice to see so many people involved and enjoying all it has to offer.
Think of all the fantastic brick and mortar shops that could be opened by these crafters and entrepreneurs if the landlords with empty ground floor retail space in the city lowered their rents to make it possible. Isn’t lowered rent better than no rent? Plus it would make the city more livable, walkable, put more eyes on the streets, and draw in more shoppers from outside the city.