Published: 7/1/2022 3:59:45 PM
GREENFIELD — As a woman living in a group home, where yard sales aren’t permitted, Wendy Jo (Paradis) Perry found herself limited in where she could sell her art.
“It’s hard to be out there on the island,” she said, speaking to the experiences she’s had trying to sell her work to passersby — not all of whom have been friendly — at a downtown intersection. “A woman can’t live off what I make in a week.”
Perry, who lives in ServiceNet housing, said she knows there are other people out there in a similar position. Even in certain senior housing situations, she said, restrictions limit the potential for something like a yard sale to happen on the property.
That was what sparked the idea for Sunday’s yard sale at Court Square, Perry said — an idea she then brought to Hannah Brookman, a friend she’d made three years ago while selling her art outside Green Fields Market on Main Street.
“Wendy is always bringing me gifts and … always has so many great ideas,” said Brookman of Looky Here, the nonprofit art gallery, workshop and art supply thrift store on Chapman Street. “I really appreciate that Wendy is a dedicated artist.”
Brookman recalled when the pair first met in 2019. Inspired by Perry, she provided the fellow artist with art supplies, and even worked with Perry to put on an art show. Perry said in addition to the tie-dye shirts she hopes to sell at Court Square on Sunday, she paints, makes jewelry and creates purses for little girls.
Perry said she hopes to sell enough of her art to eventually buy a car, so she can more easily visit her grandchildren living in eastern Massachusetts, where she is originally from.
Anyone is welcome to vend at Court Square on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No advance registration is required, nor will there be a fee to participate, but individuals are asked to supply their own tables as needed.
“(City officials) seem to want to have stuff happen on the common,” said Brookman, who will be selling printed cards on Sunday. “It was cool how easy it was.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne