Georgie’s Story
When Georgie joined Sunderland's Teenage Market, it marked a turning point in their journey as an artist. Studying illustration and design at Sunderland University, Georgie found in the market a place to build up confidence and embrace their true-self in a supportive community.
Georgie’s journey into creative expression began in a backdrop of personal challenges. “I’ve always struggled with anxiety and mental health issues”, they shared.
Nearly mute for years, Georgie found solace and self-expression through being artistic. When The Teenage Market started running events in Sunderland, it offered a chance to share their work without the financial risk or that often comes with setting up in business.
As a result, they could create more freely, experimenting with polymer clay, textiles, and printmaking, and began selling a range of handcrafted items such as embroidery, hand-bound sketchbooks, and linocut prints.
“Having a low-pressure environment like the market has really helped me come out of my shell. I’ve learned so much, from product photography to customer engagement.”
For Georgie, balancing a full-time creative degree with work seemed almost impossible but The Teenage Market provided a solution, allowing them to develop professional skills in a flexible, supportive setting.
Being a part of the market also allowed Georgie to step out of their comfort zone, to try new projects and learn from other traders. Eventually, Georgie became a young advisor for The Teenage Market, designing promotional illustrations for the events and providing mentoring for new traders through a social mentorship initiative, which encourages newcomers to gain confidence in a welcoming environment.
The free stall at The Teenage Market lifted a significant barrier for Georgie. “I looked at other markets, but some charged over £200. That’s just not feasible for most young people starting out”.
Through regular participation in the events, Georgie eventually gained financial independence to cover their university expenses, which helped to alleviate some of the financial pressure on their family. With each market, they built a steady stream of income that allowed them to buy supplies, pay for transportation, and even indulge in small personal luxuries like clothes and art materials. “It’s empowering,” they noted, “to know I don’t have to ask my parents for money anymore.”
“Being able to help others find their confidence has been so fulfilling, especially because I know what it feels like to need a safe space to grow.”
The Teenage Market in Sunderland, which takes place at the cultural venue Pop Recs
Georgie’s involvement in the market has opened doors and created invaluable connections. Their role as a young advisor has also fostered personal growth, as they design and run projects like the mentorship social.
For Georgie, the market also means resilience in the face of social challenges, providing a welcoming community in Sunderland—a city they feel lacks a robust creative scene.
As they prepare to complete their degree, Georgie is now planning for a future in cultural management, with hopes of creating more inclusive, creative spaces for young people in the area. Inspired by their journey with The Teenage Market, they envision establishing a permanent creative hub in Sunderland’s many vacant shops.
“There’s just not enough for young people to do here,” Georgie observed, “and that’s part of why I want to create spaces where they can feel seen, supported, and safe.”