COLD WEATHER = FROZEN FUNDS FOR UNION SQUARE ARTISTS

New York City: It has been in the 20’s lately, far too cold to snow, the cold weather has quite the affect on Union Square artists and vendors, normally scattered across the city’s major mingling spot, with lack of foot-traffic by walkers and shoppers alike the cold weather has temporarily put a halt in the fairly consistent cash flow of the Square’s most dedicated artists.

“It’s very cold, there is a recession in New York and there is not a lot of business at this time,” Esteban Kremen points out. Esteban, a local and self-proclaimed “street artist” originally from Buenos Aries can usually be found in Union Square selling his prints and original pieces. Like many others, Union Square is his main place of business.

“After December you can keeping working until about half of January and it’s very good because a lot of people get bonuses from their jobs and keeping buying, the city is still full of tourists who want to bring gifts back home.”

December is the big moneymaker for most. The Holiday Market at Union Square, which is open November 27th-through Christmas Eve, is a major source of profit for many artists but also a big expense. A booth alone runs an artist $12,000, $6,000 if they don’t mind a smaller space. Esteban shares a booth, and with the help of his assistant works hard to sell what he can, make connections, get exposure and do more than break-even.

After the Christmas rush has ended Union Square seems to come to halt and pause for all of a New York minute…if not simply freeze over. The only vendors who are entirely consistent are those of the farmer’s market variety; a faithful folk who seem to withstand the cold weather by consuming large pots of delicious apple are pear cider.

“I use from February to April to make my production for the rest of the year. It’s a very long period of time, so it’s a great time to be creative. Take vacations and prepare for the busy season,” Kremen says. He also says that often during the Christmas rush he gets a lot of requests for special pieces, so he uses his off-season to fulfill such duties. Not all Union Square Artists are lucky enough to have their art in galleries or cater to private buyers like Kremen, so there are a few who wait-it-out in the cold to pay their rents.

“Artists started to sell their art in Union square less than 5 years ago. The best place was Soho on Broadway. That was the place to be. But like everything in New York it changed and now Union Square is much better.”

When the sun comes back walkers, riders and performers will once again return to the Square, sandals and shorts to brag. Only then will artists come out to sell under the sunshine and all will be at peace: back in business.