Aug. 24, 2023

When Cynthia Anderson began to suffer from carpel tunnel during the pandemic after too much computer work, she knew she needed a new outlet. Oddities art ultimately became her full-time job.

“I don’t sell traditional art items. … I call it oddities art,” Anderson said.

Look for CynFull Art at the 605 Made Night Market from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The free event is held in the Raven parking lot on the southeast corner of Sixth Street and Phillips Avenue.

Anderson said her “little funerals in a jar” are her way of creating enjoyment and “almost like extending the life of something by making it pretty.”

Anderson sources many of her products from nature. She uses mink and muskrat bones frequently as they are considered “nuisance animals” in South Dakota, she said.

“Don’t shake the jars like a snow globe,” Anderson said, laughing.

Anderson works with a local taxidermist who cleans the bones and sells them to her.

“Some of my materials are only available certain times of the year due to when the program is open,” she said.

All of the animal bones are ethically sourced, she added, “from either finding them in nature or through local government programs.”

Anderson uses stones and dried flowers in her jar art. She also creates jewelry and other art from stones and bones. Her work primarily is sold online and at local shows.

“I’m obsessed with the disco mirror tiles on mounted antlers right now,” Anderson said.

At one point, a friend wanted to purchase her art but had a cat that would knock over her jars. Anderson said she thought outside the box and made something for the wall instead.

“The mirror tiles make the deer heads more modern and fun,” she said.

Using her body to paint

During COVID, Anderson said she looked for unique ways to use her body to paint.

“I was stuck at home and tried to get creative. My art is very abstract. … Unless someone directly asks me what I used to paint … they wouldn’t even know.”

Let’s just explain her work the way she does to people: “I make pretty dead things in jars, and I paint with my boobs.”

Anderson does some social media management for artists and creators on the side, but art is her full-time job.

“I really really enjoy the art community in Sioux Falls. The DTSF events all have been very good, and the foot traffic is nice,” Anderson said. “I enjoy being with other artists and being together and being able to create together.”

Anderson will be one of almost three dozen makers to join food trucks and entertainers at Saturday’s 605 Made Night Market, which is co-organized by SiouxFalls.Busienss and Knotty Gnome Variety & Salvage and co-sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls and Pomegranate Market.

For a complete vendor guide, click below.

Here’s your guide to shopping, food, entertainment at Saturday’s 605 Made Night Market