The third annual Makers’ Market, organized by the Forest Park Arts Alliance, will return to the village April 27.
According to Bridget Lane, secretary of the Forest Park Arts Alliance, the market came out of the Garage Galleries, the organization’s annual neighborhood art walk hosted out of local garages in August.
“As the organization has grown, and our identification with artists has grown, we’ve been able to put together these Makers’ Markets,” Lane said of the Arts Alliance.
But while Garage Galleries artists sell more traditional art, the Makers’ Market is more of a crafts-oriented, homemade shopping experience.
“There are a number of artisans that didn’t really fit with Garage Galleries, but they were fabulous makers,” Lane said. While Garage Galleries focus more on fine art, Makers’ Market artisans often sell items like knit and crocheted pieces, jewelry, pottery and photography. “You’d be amazed at what’s going on in the basements of Forest Park. This is an opportunity for those people to show off their wares and sometimes finance their hobby a bit.”
On April 27, 24 artisans will sell their items at Robert’s Westside, which has expanded since last year so that the Arts Alliance has space to include eight more vendors.
“Because we have so many local artists, this thing fills up so fast,” Lane said. The Arts Alliance has a wait list of artisans if anyone can’t make it last-minute.
Those who want to sign up to sell items at future Makers’ Markets — there’s a second annual market for the holidays in late November or December — should consider becoming one of more than 130 members who are a part of the Arts Alliance, Lane said. Membership is $25 a year and comes with a reduced fee for a Makers’ Market table and a cheaper price for Arts Alliance events.
This year’s spring Makers’ Market is at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison St., is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 27 and is free and open to the public.