Fresno County’s art scene is as diverse as the artists themselves. From stunning murals that brighten our neighborhoods to galleries showcasing incredible talent, there’s plenty to celebrate. But what really sets Fresno County apart is its grassroots, hands-on art movement. Many local artists take their work directly to the community, setting up at vendor fairs, pop-ups, and local gift shops. Melinda (@derpycuteclub), a self-taught local artist and Illustrator of DerpyCuteClub, creates stickers, art prints, and stationary goods with a playful art style. Key(K3y.st0n3s), a talented jewelry artist who creates handmade necklaces and bracelets inspired by popular TV shows and seasonal themes. You’ll often spot their work at pop-up events around Fresno or in Let Me Take a Look Gift Shop. In this blog, we share local artists like Melinda and Key insider scoop on the Fresno art scene and the places where you can connect with their work. Ready to explore Fresno’s creative side and meet the makers behind it all? Here’s what local artists had to share—and where you can find their work.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about living/working in Fresno County?
A: @Derpycuteclub : One of my favorite things is that there’s always a market, popup or events happening around town such as, the badgirlsmarket, arthop, why not wednesdays, the do over market, and much more. Its cool to see local small businesses or groups of friends who wanted to do a fun market together for the community to help support their fellow artists/creatives and small businesses.
@k3y.st0n3s : I'm close to home and that I'm able to travel places easily without it being too long/hard/difficult for events or even just in general.
Q: How would you describe Fresno’s art scene to someone unfamiliar with it?
A: @Derpycuteclub :I’m still new to our art scene but I’ve met quite a bit of fellow artists/creatives and I’d say there’s a lot of talented artists that don’t get a lot of exposure that they deserve sadly. I’ve recently joined an event hosted by artsyteaclub. They’re an art popup event that focuses on supporting local artists. It was such a great event and I met a lot of fellow artists and got to meet more people from the art community. I feel like having more events like this can definitely help Fresno’s art scene more for fellow artists and creatives along with arthop.
@k3y.st0n3s: There is just so much art and clothes and handmade goods you could get from all these small businesses.
Q: If you had just one day to show someone Fresno’s art scene, where would you take them?
A: @Derpycuteclub : Depending on what day they’re visiting, they can check out these events/markets that some local artists/creatives such as myself join that happen every month: arthop, why not wednesday, and the BadGirlsMarket. They can also check out shops that carry local artists and catch glimpses of murals throughout our city like in downtown or down Cesar Chavez st. I’d highly recommend visiting Arte Americas, they’re a great place to see a lot of art from the Latinx community.
@k3y.st0n3s: They should go during ArtHop or Why not Wednesday in downtown Fresno. There are tons of things to see, the art, food, etc. Another place is Riverpark but specifically when they have the Saturday events and the Farmers Market (on Tuesday nights).
Q: Are there any art styles or movements in Fresno County that you think make the area unique?
A: @k3y.st0n3s:An art-ish trend I see is the influx of vintage clothing, and accessories that has been popping up in Fresno and its events. I also think that the events are an art trend that visitors should look out for, because while it’s something new that has become really popular, I believe that having themes like the Bad Girls Market does monthly where they change up the theme for people to dress up and stuff is a super fun trend that spice things up.
@Derpycuteclub : There’s a lot of hidden underrated talented artists here in Fresno. You can find some of them at local art events/markets like arthop and more that visitors should keep an eye out for.
Q: If you were hosting an out-of-town artist, where would you take them to experience Fresno’s art scene?
A: @Derpycuteclub : I would take them to any art events happening that day like arthop, BadGirlsMarket, why not wednesdays, artsyteaclub and visit local small business that carry artists and creatives like the shops: Yellow, Sourmilk, Let Me Take a Look.
@k3y.st0n3s: I would take them to the downtown events, or the Manchester ones including Art Hop, Why not Wednesday, and the Bad Girls Market.
Q: Where can people see or purchase your work?
A: @Derpycuteclub : Some of my bestselling stickers which are some of the first designs I’ve first ever developed are at the let me take a look shop next to Fresno state in bulldog plaza. I Hope to have more of my items in more local shops around Fresno someday.
@k3y.st0n3sMy handmade jewelry is something people can come and see/purchase. Majority of my pieces are one of a kind though, so I always have something new to show every month if anyone wants to stop by and support me and other businesses [at these events].
How to Support Fresno’s Artists:
Follow these local artists on social media to stay updated on new pieces and events they will be selling their work at!
@k3y.st0n3s on Instagram and TikTok
@Derpycuteclub on Instagram