The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of the NextGen Youth Artisan Market, a brand-new initiative debuting during the 2025 Shop the Village event on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025. This exciting program offers Paulding County High School students a unique platform to showcase and sell their artistic creations, highlighting the remarkable talents being cultivated in our local schools.

“We believe that by encouraging our students to step outside their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment, we can help them build essential life skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom,” said Erica Noggle, Executive Director of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce.

The NextGen Youth Artisan Market will feature a wide variety of student-made projects, including paintings, woodworking, welding, and more. These works will reflect skills developed in the classroom, creations crafted during class projects, and pieces made using school-provided resources. By providing this platform, the Chamber aims to nurture students' artistic passions while fostering confidence, self-esteem, and personal growth.

Staci Miller, Agriculture Education Teacher at Paulding Exempted Village Schools, shared her enthusiasm for the program: “This is truly a wonderful new opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and skills. It gives students a way to show the community the hands-on skills and abilities they are learning in high school career technical education classes. I am so happy for a program like this to get started in our community!”

The initiative also emphasizes the value of continued support for the arts in public schools. By highlighting the incredible creativity within our community, the NextGen Youth Artisan Market encourages residents to appreciate and celebrate the arts as a vital part of Paulding County's culture.

Angie Miesle Stokes, Studio Art, Art History, and Art Technology teacher at Wayne Trace, expressed her excitement: “We are excited to collaborate with the Chamber to provide this opportunity for our students to grow! Not only will they be able to showcase the works they make as part of our Art Studios and STEAM center projects, but they will also be able to share with the community projects they have been inspired to make on their own time and with the help of the local artists workshop leading up to the event!”

"This program is about more than just selling art; it's about celebrating our young artists, encouraging their dreams, and fostering a community that values and supports creative expression," Noggle added.

The Chamber invites the entire community to attend Shop the Village 2025 to experience firsthand the talent and dedication of Paulding County’s young artists. By attending, residents can help ensure that the arts continue to thrive, enriching our community for years to come.

We are deeply grateful to the following organizations for their generous support in making this program possible: Grounded Coffee & Crumbs, My102.7, Paulding Putnam Electric, Paulding County Area Foundation, Antwerp Rotary, Grover Hill Lions Club, and the Kiwanis Club of Paulding County.

For more information about the NextGen Youth Artisan Market, please contact the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce at 419-399-5215.