Sarah Robbins -- Fine Artist discusses inspirations, goals for store
Student-Made is a national program debuting in the Troy University IDEA Bank this semester, allowing student artists and business owners – like Sarah Robbins – to dip their toes into the world of creative commerce.
Senior Sarah Robbins is an art and English double major from Saraland, Alabama, and she is the sole proprietor of “Sarah Robbins – Fine Artist.”
Through her business, she sells prints, paintings, stickers, hand printed clothing and other forms of her original artwork.
Robbins started her business after joining Student-Made over the summer. However, her journey began last semester when she found inspiration at a popular local event.
“This past spring, I sold a few of my pieces at Troy Fest downtown, and that went so well that I decided to try and make this a real thing,” Robbins said. “This program will help me with my own marketing skills, which will hopefully only get better with time.”
Troy Fest is an annual art and craft festival that gives vendors, musicians and artists a chance to interact with the public. Robbins said her success there gave her confidence that she could profit from her passion, so she didn’t hesitate to sign up for Student-Made.
“If you’re a creative person, you know that making your art is not a choice - it’s a need,” Robbins said. “I’m thrilled that I get to express that part of myself daily through personal projects and guidance from my wonderful art professors.
“My work for sale through Student Made is just a glimpse of what I love to create, and I hope that that sincerity resonates with someone.”
While Student-Made has collaborated with multiple universities across the United States, the storefront at the IDEA Bank will be the program's first physical store. The ribbon cutting will be on Sept. 20.
“I expect to see all my friends there to support me,” Robbins said. “For real, though, I hope that the physical store will encourage people off of campus to look towards student creators when shopping for art, clothes, etc., instead of only relying on questionable websites such as Shein or Temu.”
There will also be an online store, and the student entrepreneurs will get to keep 100% of their profits.
“I want to try and sell my work to a larger audience than just those in the Troy area, and Student-Made’s online storefront will help me achieve that,” Robbins said. “Plus, they are incredibly helpful in pushing new creators, like myself, to really try and stand out.”
The IDEA Bank will be selling student entrepreneurs’ merchandise throughout the school year. Anyone interested in learning more about Student-Made Troy can visit their Instagram @studentmade_troy.
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