This holiday season arrives during a particularly challenging time for independent artists and makers. Rising material costs from tariffs and the ripple effects of the recent government shutdown have created tighter margins for creative professionals who were already balancing the demands of running a small business. As photographer and author Greg Murray puts it, “Being a working artist means wearing a lot of hats: photographer, marketer, editor, accountant, fundraiser and advocate. It’s not just about taking pictures; it’s about storytelling, connection and consistency.”

But Cleveland’s creative community has always been resilient, and this season, showing up for local artists matters more than ever. Supporting makers goes far beyond holiday shopping — though that certainly helps. This

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