For the first time, Natelle Quek showcased her artwork in the parking lot of SoMa Art Media Hub on Saturday.
Quek, 29, joined other artists, musicians and food vendors to celebrate the art supply store’s one-year anniversary.
SoMa’s owners, along with Gainesville Arts Market and Gainesville Art Scene, hosted the event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Quek said she wanted to meet new people and gain exposure during her first-ever art show.
Drawing inspiration from animals such as her cat, Patches, she started creating jewelry at the age of 18 and, more than a decade later, selling her artwork in October.
Her favorite design is a broach in the form of a sweater-wearing platypus.
“It is kind of the best combination,” she said.
In the end, Quek said she hoped to have a good day and make people smile.
Charles Martin, a UF chemistry professor, played an acoustic guitar as part of four other acts throughout the day.
SoMa co-owner Celino Dimitroff asked Martin, his friend of 10 years, to play at the event.
“If anyone asks me to play, I’ll play,” Martin said.
Martin, who prefers his students to call him Colonel, performed “Blackbird,” a song by the Beatles.
He said performing “Blackbird” was a personal growing experience.
“The song represents a benchmark for me,” Martin said. “If you can play that song, you’re good.”
People constantly congratulated co-owners Charley McWhorter and Dimitroff,
who said next year’s anniversary will be even better.
“We love that we’re becoming a part of the community,” he said. “We wouldn’t be here without it.”
