From Pandemic Challenge to Artistic Triumph
When Desiree Vuocolo launched Local-Good.com in October 2020, the world was grappling with a global pandemic, and the arts community was particularly hard hit. Events were canceled, galleries shuttered, and artists saw their incomes plummet. Yet, against all odds, Vuocolo and her team moved forward, building a platform designed to address the stark realities facing independent artists.
“In those first two years, artists lost 80% of their livelihoods,” Vuocolo recalls. “It was heartbreaking, but it validated why we needed to act quickly. We couldn’t wait for things to stabilize; we had to create a space where artists could survive and thrive.”
Now, four years later, LocalGood has completed a new site design with additional functionality to help buyers shop. This renewed focus aims to simplify the connection between artists and buyers while addressing systemic challenges in the art world.
A New Vision with LocalGood
LocalGood.com is more than just an online marketplace—it’s a community-driven initiative aimed at leveling the playing field for artists. Unlike major platforms that charge steep fees upfront or require artists to navigate opaque algorithms, LocalGood operates with a unique model: artists pay nothing until they make a sale.
“We understand how much money artists are already out before they even sell a single piece,” says Vuocolo. “From buying supplies to paying for event tables and shipping costs, the expenses pile up. That’s why we’ve made it easy for them to showcase their work without taking on additional financial risk.”
The platform’s updated design and added functionality are central to its reintroduction. Vuocolo highlights that the redesigned site not only enhances user experience but also better supports artists in promoting their work. “Our goal this year is to reintroduce LocalGood and explain why we’re different, to attract both new artists and buyers,” she explains.
Why Artists Need LocalGood
Vuocolo’s urgency is rooted in data. Referencing a 2025 Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council report, she notes that nearly one-quarter of artists earn less than $15,000 annually from all sources—a poverty rate more than double the national average.
“Let that sink in,” she says. “How do you live on $15,000 a year? You don’t. Especially when you’re self-funding your art, which 76% of artists do, according to the same survey.”
These financial struggles aren’t just theoretical for Vuocolo, who has spent years listening to the experiences of local artists. Rising costs for materials, event fees, and transportation are compounded by the challenges of marketing and promoting work—a burden LocalGood seeks to ease.
“This is why we exist,” she says. “To help artists market their art, connect with buyers who care about local, handmade items, and build a sustainable future for their craft.”
The Road Ahead
The team behind LocalGood is small but committed. Vuocolo, who juggles a full-time job alongside this venture, works alongside volunteers and collaborators like Chris Jezowicz, Abby Solon, and Kayla Kaminski. Together, they’re mapping out strategies for growth, including partnerships with local organizations and targeted marketing campaigns.
“There’s a huge market of people who care deeply about where they spend their money,” Vuocolo explains. “They want to support their communities, buy handmade, and invest in artists. We just need to find them.”
In addition to recruiting more artists to the platform, LocalGood is exploring an “art ambassador” program to onboard new members and expand its reach. Vuocolo remains optimistic about the future, even as she acknowledges the challenges ahead.
“Things aren’t better for most artists yet,” she says. “But we’re here to make sure they have the tools and the support they need to succeed. This isn’t just about selling art—it’s about building a sustainable, thriving community.” It’s clear that Vuocolo’s vision goes beyond commerce. It’s about creating a space where art—and the people who make it—are valued and supported.
Artwork by Kayla Kirsch Design, “Be inspired”.