Makers at Home is an Instagram series from The Frye Art Museum Store, giving us a peek into the lives and routines of some of our favorite designers stocked by the Store during this unusual time of isolation.
Sallyann Corn and Joe Kent are an inventive and highly industrious couple that not only run design studio @fruitsuper, but curate and design two brick-and-mortar shops in Seattle and Walla Walla, WA; teach at Cornish College of the Arts; and are active members of the Seattle design and art community. You may be familiar with their elegant lift coaster and brass plant sticks—we've sold these Store favorites for some time. In their spare time (!?), they have also established an online resource of small businesses of Seattle @supportsmallseattle in collaboration with The Fold Mag and Civilization.
We spoke with these thoughtful designers on May 18, 2020, and here are their reflections:
The first few weeks were a struggle. As task-driven creatives, for the first time it felt as if our "heads down, work harder" approach couldn't solve things. We threw ourselves head first into pivoting as quickly as possible; setting up Care Package Kits, taking new photographs, expanding our website. We collaborated on a project near and dear to our hearts (Support Small Seattle) and like everyone else, have tried to make sense of it all. At first, we shunned away from anything "creative.” It felt like creative projects held a special happy place in our souls and we didn't want that overlapping with all of the emotions we're currently facing.
We've tried to be kind and patient with our creative selves, knowing they'll reveal themselves again when ready. Just writing this sounds a bit scattered, feels a bit scattered---but I doubt we're alone in these feelings. We miss our creative community so, and long for round table discussions, art walks, and heated conversations about history and creative relevance.
Until then, we'll continue to forage alley bouquets, play cards in the park, lovingly wrap your orders, eat warm bread, and explore our beautiful city.
Rachael Lang
Store Manager and Buyer