MarInMotion’s Art In Motion
How a 16-year-old artist made a major impression at Pottstown Heritage Group's Back-to-School event
If you’ve ever met Marley — aka @_marinmotion — then you know creativity flows wherever she goes. But at the recent Back-to-School Community Event hosted by the Pottstown Heritage Group in Huntersville, NC, Marley didn’t just show up — she showed out.
A Booth That Brought People Together
Invited as a featured youth artist, Marley was given full creative control — and paid for her time and materials. Rather than set up a traditional vendor table, she launched something more meaningful: an Artist Trading Card booth.
For those unfamiliar, Artist Trading Cards (or ATCs) are miniature works of art created and exchanged freely. No money. Just expression. Guests were invited to design their own cards on-site using the crayons and blank index cards Marley provided. In return, they could trade their creation for one of Marley’s original cards or swap with another artist at the table.
The idea was simple — but the impact was powerful. Over the course of the four-hour event, Marley's booth became one of the most popular spots on the field. Kids kept coming back. Some even pulled their parents in to join.
One particularly heartwarming moment? A little girl, no older than four, traded her drawing for one her mother made. It was about connection, exactly the kind of energy Marley wanted to create.
Recognition, Resources, and a Laptop (!)
When Marley arrived, organizers surprised her with something special: a custom foam board sign with her name and artwork on it. It gave her booth a polished look — and although her name was slightly misspelled, we’ve got plans to make it even better. (We’re thinking of covering the typo with white tape and letting Marley hand-letter her name instead. Artist’s touch, you know?)
The event itself was packed with energy: food trucks, live music by a young DJ Marley knows from school, and a sea of giveaways — everything from toiletries and clothes to school supplies and free laptops. (Shout out to Novant Health for even donating extra crayons to Marley’s station!)
In the final hour, kids were encouraged to dance for a chance to win one of the laptops. Marley was too cool to jump up and dance in front of everyone… but somehow, she ended up walking away with a laptop anyway. A win is a win.
A Mom Moment I’ll Never Forget
As her mom — and as the founder of West & Remount — I had a front-row seat to something really special. At one point, I had to step away and wipe my eyes. Watching Marley interact with kids and adults, seeing them light up from her presence, her art, and the simple magic of creating something together… it got to me.
Through her art, she empowered others to create, connect, and feel seen. I watched her confidence bloom as she guided conversations, encouraged young artists, and built something meaningful — not just as a creative, but as an entrepreneur with purpose. And in that moment, I saw the full picture: a young woman growing into herself, inspiring others simply by showing up authentically.
This is why we do what we do. West & Remount is about purpose, community, creativity, and individualism. And Marley, in every sense, is carrying that forward.