Makers’ Market:
Artisans showcase their creative talent at open-air Atlanta event
Atlanta’s first Local Maker’s Market limited itself to a fivehour display of creative endeavors by enthusiastic local artists.
The concept for a local maker’s market is that participants are limited to being from 50 miles or less from Atlanta. The vendors’ crafts and art are vetted to be “handmade, homemade and homegrown.” No resale items here.
“Exceeded our expectations,” Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce communications manager Kendell Wolfe said of the event.
“It was exciting to see just how many people we have doing things in their spare time who are creative and using their talents even though they may have fulltime jobs.”
Twenty-eight crafters and artists set up their booths and tents in the Woods Park on East Hiram in Atlanta for the 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. show Saturday. The event was held in conjunction with the fifth annual Steven Smith Memorial Classic Car Cruise Nite later that evening.
Both events exceeded expectations. Booths were filled with fresh and unusual works. Several salespeople at each location eagerly helped explain their work to the passers-by.
The location of the market at Woods Park in downtown
Atlanta was convenient and just the right size for such a gathering. People and tables were close together, encouraging talk and the greeting of friends. It seemed that the people were happy to be out and about after weeks of quarantine.
During the event, Lauren Caraway with her “Nailed It! — Custom Name and
String Art” display won the $250 Community Cultivation Award sponsored by Price Hardware.
“We may do this again in the fall,” Wolfe said.
The city is capable of handling the local makers’ market’s possible expansion. Atlanta’s downtown already has two open-space parks which could host an overflow of artists and their displays.
The accompanying photos show a number of local artists and their works.
“It was exciting to see just how many people we have doing things in their spare time who are creative and using their talents even though they may have full-time
jobs.”
—Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce communications manager Kendell Wolfe