With one of our offices moving to Springfield, Missouri, we’ve had the opportunity to be introduced to a new artist community. One of the artists I have become familiar with is Rosie Winstead, whose unique style has become a feature both in my home and in our new office space. Rosie’s feature in 417 magazine offers locals an inside view to her home, her story, and her inspiration. I love to support local artists when I’m setting up a home or an office – there’s something about local talent that just adds a sense of home to a place.
In an age of global marketplaces and mass-produced goods, it’s easy to overlook the rich creativity flourishing right in our own communities. Supporting local artists isn’t just about buying a painting or attending a gallery opening—it’s about investing in culture, connection, and the unique voice of a place. Whether it’s a painter, sculptor, illustrator, or mixed media artist, local creators shape the cultural heartbeat of a community. Here’s why backing them is so valuable.
1. You Strengthen the Local Economy
When you purchase art from a local creator, you’re putting money directly into the hands of someone in your community. Unlike purchases from national chains or online platforms that send profits far from home, supporting a local artist keeps that money circulating where you live. It helps artists buy supplies, pay rent, and continue to create. That ripple effect supports other small businesses too—think frame shops, local cafes hosting exhibitions, and print studios.
2. You Nurture Creative Culture
Every community has a distinct spirit, and local artists help express it. From public murals to handmade ceramics at a farmers’ market, their work captures what makes a place unique. Supporting these creatives ensures they can keep producing work that tells the stories of your city, your neighborhoods, your people. When artists thrive, communities become more vibrant, inspiring, and beautiful.
3. You Encourage Originality and Innovation
Mass production tends to dull creativity. But local artists are often pushing boundaries—experimenting with techniques, styles, and messages you won’t find anywhere else. When you support them, you’re encouraging bold, original work that doesn’t have to fit a commercial mold. This kind of innovation is crucial not just for art, but for culture at large.
4. You Build Relationships and Community
Buying art locally is often a deeply personal experience. You might meet the artist at a show, hear the story behind their piece, or even commission something custom. These interactions create a connection between artist and audience that’s rare in a digital, detached marketplace. Over time, you become not just a buyer, but a patron—part of a network that values creativity and personal expression.
5. You Make Art Accessible
When local artists are supported, they’re more likely to share their talents widely—through classes, workshops, and community events. Your support helps make art a part of everyday life, not something reserved for gallery walls or elite circles. Everyone benefits when creativity is visible, tangible, and encouraged in public spaces.
6. You Help Preserve the Narrative of Now
Art has always been a mirror of society. Local artists capture the mood, questions, and dreams of the moment. Their work becomes part of the cultural record—something future generations can look back on to understand what life felt like in your town, right now.
In short: supporting local artists means enriching your community, your life, and the future of creative culture. So visit a local gallery, share a friend’s art show, buy that handmade print, or simply tell an artist you appreciate their work. Every bit of encouragement matters more than you know.