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To Art Market, To Art Market
Gifts local and unique can be found at venues 'round town
by Maria Montoya
The Times Picayune
Lagniappe Section
November 26, 2004Today marks the first official day of the holiday shopping season. If you are looking for that uniquely New Orleans gift, you're in luck. In the past year, the number of local art markets and events has doubled.
"Anyone who is tired of the hassle of shopping at big-box stores should definitely spend the morning enjoying one of the many art markets taking place around town," said Darlene Wolnik, the associate director of the nonprofit group that runs the Crescent City Farmers Market, which will offer locals three Saturdays of Festivus in December.
The purpose of the events is to get folks to shop for those one- of-a-kind items, Wolnik said.
Blake Vonder Haar of the Bywater Art Market said that twice as many vendors were selected to come out to the Dec. 18 market. Everything is handmade by the artists.
"Our goal is to offer emerging artists a chance to show their work, but only if it is at a professional level," Vonder Haar said.
Laura Elms, an artist and organizer of the 2nd Annual Bayou St. John Holiday Art Market, said that 28 artists will be at the Pitot House on Dec. 4. Aside from the fun of buying one-of-kind art, Elms said such markets can also help lift the spirits of locals.
"Events like this really give us the chance to come together as a community to show how unified we really are," Elms said. "I am proud to be a part of something that is offering so many people a chance to enjoy such great art and really come together at the same time."
Here is a list of some of the special markets and events this season:
Academy Gallery, 5256 Magazine St., 899-8111
The 2004 Annual Miniature Exhibition, including small-scale works by gallery faculty and alumni, will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4, through Dec. 4. Prices range from $50 to $1,800 for the watercolors, oils, photography and sculpture created by the 80-plus artists.
Bywater Art Market, Markey Park at Piety and Royal streets, 944- 7900, www.bywaterartmarket.com
Artists sell their work on the third Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. The market offers juried pieces in a variety of price ranges, including handmade jewelry, folk art, prints, paintings and sculpture. To mark the holiday season, expect to see twice as many vendors at the Dec. 18 event.
Studio Inferno, 3000 Royal St., 945-1878
If you stop by the Bywater Art Market, be sure to visit the Studio Inferno, which is just a few blocks away. Inferno is known for its glass fleur de lis and New Orleans water meter covers. This year, owner and designer Mitchell Gaudet was inspired to design glass sandcasted ornaments in a variety of designs starting at $15. Pet lovers might also like the adorable glass dog bones with different messages ($16). Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 and 10 a.m. to 6. From Dec. 6 to 23, they'll be open from 10 a.m. to 6 Monday through Saturday.
Mid-City Art Market, corner of Carrollton Avenue and Canal Street, 486-6266, www.mcno.org
Shoppers can find stocking stuffers and big-ticket items at the Mid-City Market. This month, the group will hold its market on Saturday and next month on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Holiday Art Bazaar at Estudio M, 3941 Tchoupitoulas St., 881- 7645
Owner Marla Donovan will keep the doors of her studio open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec. 18. Artists from across the city will offer handmade clay such as clay dog and cat bowls, paintings and sculpture at prices pretty for gift giving (smallest items start at $10 for clay leaves).
Bayou St. John Holiday Art Market, Pitot House, 1440 Moss St., www.neworleansartmarket.com
The second annual neighborhood art market will host 28 artists, live music and snacks. The artists' creations include photography, paintings, mixed media, ceramics and metal sculpture, jewelry design, pottery, fabric design and wood work. The event is held at the historic site on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is $2.
Offbeat Folk Art Xmas Expose, 2858 Magazine St., 891-9080
Hosted by the Anton Haardt Gallery, Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anton Haardt offers a chance to buy folk art greeting cards ($6), T-shirts ($20), prints of paintings by Mose Tolliver (price varies) and limited copies of the "Night Before Christmas" illustrated by Howard Finster ($15).
Art Egg Art Mart, 1001 S. Broad St., 822-4066, www.artegg.com
Check out the work of artists from around the region at the historic studios. Dozens of artists will have their work for sale on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. To get an early look at some of their work, go to the Art Egg Web site.
Festivus at Crescent City Farmers Market, 861-5898, www.festivusmarket.org
For three Saturdays, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18, the Crescent City Farmers Market will close down part of Girod Street to offer a holiday market featuring 50-plus vendors selling recycled wares, arts and crafts. Also, visit the "Office of Homeland Serenity," where you can list your grievances at the grievance pole, regift last year's gifts or stop by the "flattery" booth to enjoy 30 seconds of free flattery.
Art at Jackson Square
For decades artists have shown their wares in the French Quarter meeting ground of Jackson Square. Cooler temperatures and the tourist season tend to draw out a larger number of artists.
French Market, 1200 block of N. Peters St., 522-2621
Merchants from around the world bring their wares to an open-air French Market's Community Flea Market, which is open seven days a week. Traditional items such as clothing and antiques combine with art, jewelry and crafts at this community market.