Vendors decorate booths with their signature items, showcasing handmade crafts, detailed designs and tempting treats for potential customers perusing the gymnasium. Although markets remain commonplace throughout Austin, this one offers a particularly silent stroll as shoppers sift through selections.
Deaf Artisan Market Day, or DAMD, provides opportunities for deaf business owners to connect and sell their goods under one roof. DAMD held its most recent market on July 9 at Seeger Gym at Texas School for the Deaf from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The business began when founder Lisa Dang Bromley, owner of the eclectic artisan shop Moon Dang, spoke with deaf entrepreneurs who said they felt unwelcome at non-deaf markets.
“Our deaf community may be small, but it holds a big magical energy,” Bromley said. “We connect effortlessly due to our deafness and the similar experiences we face in our daily lives.”
Austin fosters a thriving deaf culture partly because it is home to Texas’ only deaf residential school. Although DAMD began in Austin, it has since branched out to Washington, D.C., Southern California and Dallas-Fort Worth. Bromley said that in addition to the organization’s geographic growth, her work spearheading DAMD improves her interpersonal skills.
“As an introvert, DAMD has helped me push myself outside of my shell to connect with many people,” Bromley said. “I truly love how our community supports each other and empowers us to the next level.”
During DAMD’s infancy, Bromley asked her longtime friend, and now public relations assistant, April Alonso to join her mission, later completing their trio with director of public relations Deidra Pelletier.
“DAMD is all about creating an ecosystem and providing strong support for the Deaf+ community,” Alonso said. “We aim to recognize the artworks of the deaf community and showcase that we have talents just like hearing people. We are simply deaf and human.”
Debbie Kizer said her business, Imagine Art, housed one of the approximately 50 booths at the July 9 event. Imagine Art serves artists with and without disabilities by providing access to materials and offering artistic direction. Kizer said Imagine Art sold artwork from deaf people with disabilities at DAMD.
“If you’re an artist, it’s almost like you must do (art),” Kizer said. “It’s important that we do what we’re made to do.”
Nicholas Buchanan promoted his business, Pepperbox Coffee, at the July 9 market. Buchanan said he needs to market his beverages differently from non-deaf competitors since he cannot verbally promote his products, but he said his ties with the deaf community could also prove to be an asset.
“I also cannot pick up ideas or learn the business like anyone else, so I have to be aggressive and do some research online,” Buchanan said. “I think it also helps me stand out from the rest being Deaf. It may give people something to feel they are contributing by helping the deaf community.”
Bromley said DAMD hopes to eventually create a cafe with Deaf+ employees. Until then, the organization continues offering avenues for deaf businesses to thrive and for owners to find camaraderie within deaf spaces.
“The strength of our community comes from the passion and dedication of our members,” Pelletier said. “Together, we can continue to support and uplift the Deaf ecosystem.”
