The two founders of Jackalope Arts, Melissa Kohout and Sara Diederich, met through their time spent working with an international arts organization, creating regular art centered events in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
We shared the passion to create a "community meets artisan event" focused on the experience of meeting the maker and bringing the local community together in this. With that vision, we joined together on this new venture, launching the Jackalope: Indie Artisan Fair in our home cities of Pasadena, California and Denver, Colorado.
Jackalope has been hosting semi-annual events in both Pasadena and Denver since the spring of 2015 and with the addition of Burbank in 2019. 2021 marked a new location for Jackalope, adding Minneapolis to the roster.
Each fair showcases over 150 local makers who focus on handmade artistry.
Melissa Kohout
Melissa was born and raised in the Denver metro area! She got her start by working in event sales at a venue in Colorado and then moved into event rentals. She was the rental coordinator for corporate, weddings, and special events; specializing in festivals. She has been heavily involved in the Denver arts scene for years producing art, fashion, and music focused events around town.
She also holds a degree in Interior Design and although she dabbles in the arts, she enjoys planning the events more (and shopping at them)! Melissa’s favorite part of Jackalope is being able to provide an outlet for the handmade community to feature and sell their goods.
Fun fact: Melissa has two Italian Greyhound’s, Winston and Joy (who she adores), as well as an unnatural obsession for donuts!
Winston and his own Jackalope toy
Joy!
Sara Diederich
A California Native, Sara stumbled into the arts scene through the Los Angeles music community. She spent years managing local bands in and around the Los Angeles area and booking national tours for up and coming acts, under her company, Nine 12 Records. She has coordinated art, music, and fashion events in and around the Los Angeles and Ventura County areas for years and has collaborated with many artists in the local LA art scene.
Sara also has a background in PR; working on projects with the Palm Spring Fine Arts Fair, Vineyard Touring Opera Company, and Make Music Pasadena. Sara's favorite part of Jackalope is infusing communities with quality handmade products made locally.
Fun fact: Sara loves sushi, bowling, chess, Costa Rica, and Harry Potter.
Sara and Charlie
Learning some pro chess strategy