Meet M and Jey — artists, creative collaborators, and co-organizers of Yet Another Queer Pop Up Market.
M and Jey are two artists building community both independently as makers, and together as co-organizers of Yet Another Queer Pop Up Market (YAQPUM) — a growing venture that centers two spirit LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC artisans, makers, and creatives exploring their craft in Western Massachusetts.
In this episode of the Rooted Resilience podcast, Luc talks M and Jey about their collaboration as co-organizers of YAQPUM, and their creative practices and motivations as individual makers and artists selling their work locally and globally.
Explore artwork, a documentary film project, and other bonus content below as you listen to Episode 2: "We'll Help Take Care of Each Other" with Guests M and Jey.
Artist Focus: M
M (they/them) is exploring the intersection of relationship to the sacred, the natural world, identity, and belonging beyond the binaries and boundaries of systemic oppression and -isms. This work stems from their own intersectional identity and the elders of indigenous traditions they have worked alongside in support of the decolonization of their communities and lifeways.
“And then when I moved to Western Massachusetts, it was like the door opened again, and I was ready to spend more intentional time creating. But I was still sorting out the same question I had in my twenties when I left college, which is:
Where do I belong in this world? You know, in terms of my studio work, where does this live?” - M
“ …one of the most beautiful things about it is that we are just always growing and shifting and changing…in terms of how this market comes to life, and also how we meet people where they are — how we respond to vendors needs, how we respond to community needs, how we engage with the people who are hosting us…” - M
Artist Focus: Jey
Jey (they/them) is a queer and trans hobbyist maker with a current interest in hand-dyed fibers and collecting antique treasures. They are experimenting with Found & Faded, an offering of hand-dyed clothes and found objects to adore.
“ some of it's about queer identity and a lot of my stuff is maybe more cheeky or trying to be funny. But I'm exploring more themes around grief and queer relationships…” - Jey
“ …how powerful it feels when we all come together, and there's literally hundreds of people in the same space with masks on…that increases that sense of like, ‘we'll help take care of each other.’” - Jey
View a recap of a Found & Faded fashion show:
Follow Jey on Instagram to stay connected to their work.
Yet Another Queer Pop Up Market
Yet Another Queer Pop Up Market (YAQPUM) is a growing pop-up market centering LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and emerging artisans and makers exploring their craft. They believe there is always room for more spaces in our community to support the financial success of BIPOC, queer, and trans makers, artists, crafters, creators, entrepreneurs.
YAQPUM’s goal is to provide the additional support they looked for as newcomers to the market scene.
Yet Another Queer Film Project
About the Filmmakers
Lev Chambers and Maya Martinez are two queer undergraduate students at Smith College who are filled with fierce love and admiration for the LGBTQ+ community. This film, originally for a school project, is a look into the creativity, joy, and resilience of the queer community as we make space for ourselves and each other to flourish and thrive.
Come to the Market this May!
The 2nd Annual Spring Yet Another Queer Pop Up Market will take place on Saturday, May 10th from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Florence Civic Center.
The market will focus on fundraising for two local farms, Foxtrot Farm and They Keep Bees, who have been deeply impacted by a loss of federal funding and are organizing to build support for other farmers in the region.
These farmers’ work in the fields and community is irreplaceable. Foxtrot and TKB will be selling memberships and their gorgeous harvests at the Spring Market. Please support them with your purchases, and with a donation to our mutual aid fund on market day. Donations will benefit these farms, with YAQPUM co-organizers also donating a percentage of sponsorship fees.
More than 90 offerings from Queer and BIPOC makers will be at the Spring Market, encompassing a variety of mediums:
🖼️ 2D (painting, prints, illustration, books)
🧩 Mixed Media (multi-medium vendors)
🧵 Textiles (clothing, crochet, sewn items)
🏺 Ceramics
💍 Jewelry
🌿 Health & Wellness
🍽️ Food & Drink
New to this Market: 🎪 Community Activities for all ages. Because who doesn’t need a little stretch between rounds of purchases with queer and trans yoga led by Fran Astino, or to get your hands dirty making art with Resilient Community Arts. And if you need a nap, you can also join story time with High Five Books. Sign up for email updates and stay tuned for more additions to the day!
This event is accessible, with masking required indoors and encouraged outdoors.
Sign Up for YAQPUM’s Newsletter & Follow them on Instagram
Join the Conversation: Community Dialogue Circles
Join us for a virtual dialogue circle (from anywhere) on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.. We’ll unpack themes unearthed in Episodes 1 and 2 of the podcast as a small group, and hold space for one another to share and be heard.
Thank you for reading and for tuning in to Rooted Resilience.
Fresh episodes drop on the second Tuesday of every month! Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Podcast Index, and other places you find your podcasts.
Our Partners
Rooted Resilience is produced in partnership with Bloom Local and Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity. The project is made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities, funded through the Mass Cultural Council.
2025-26 Season Sponsor
Lemon Bakery is a queer and trans-owned bakery run by Rori Hanson, providing homemade, locally-sourced, seasonal baked goods with curbside pick-up and delivery service in Amherst, Mass..To order your baked goods, visit them online at lemonbakeryonline.com and follow them on Instagram @lemonbakeryonline.
Spring Equinox Sponsor
High Five Books is an inclusive kids' bookstore in downtown Florence, Mass. known for graphic novels, middle-grade readers, and picture books. Their collection focuses on social justice and LGBTQIA+ themes. Visit them in-store and at highfivebooks.org.
&
Community Donors
Thank you to Deborah, Sabine, and Amanda for contributing to our fundraising campaign! We are so grateful for the support of each of the folks who have donated to help us preserve these histories, and we will thank each of you in the months ahead.
Join Us
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.
Email rootedresiliencepod@gmail.com to make a gift.
Are you a small business owner?
Explore our 2025-26 sponsorship opportunities to support this project.
Episode Credits
Directors: Luc Abbott and M
Producers: Bloom Local in partnership with Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity
Podcast Editor: M
Blog Editor and Research Lead: Luc Abbott
Podcast Technical Consultant: Jey Weisgerber
Follow the Rooted Resilience project on Substack and Bluesky.
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