Mini Artisan Markets In The Berkshires: Good For Artists, Fun For Shoppers
In the off season, they provide revenue for artists — and who doesn’t appreciate a shopping opportunity?
"It’s a long winter for artists and makers after the holidays,” says Kris Kanter, who manages the Great Barrington Arts Market winter markets. Long winter for the rest of us, too. So to keep commerce moving for the makers (and to keep the rest of us from going out of our minds), two winter-into-spring markets are popping up, one in northern end of Berkshire County, the other in the southern.
The Great Barrington Arts Market Winter Market is a monthly Sunday event through April at Saint James Place in downtown Great Barrington. It features a rotating roster of local and regional artists each month. Its genesis was a limited summer market that started in 2013 as part of the Great Barrington farmers market. Kanter, who with her husband owns JK Custom Furniture and Design, was one of its first artist vendors. She knew that artists needed the opportunity to show and sell their craft (and keep some income generating).
Photo courtesy Great Barrington Arts Market
The vendors range from a rotating cast of artists to specialty food vendors, curated to be different enough for people to come back each time.
“It’s a bit of an experiment,” Kanter says. “The artists know it’s a new venture, but every market has filled up with vendors. Life can be very isolating for the artists, and the markets become a sort of community.”
Up in North Adams, Greylock Works, the former mill that's now a community, events and business space, is hosting the Greylock Works mini maker market the first and third Sundays through April. Along with vendors, there are open studios to browse, and food and drink available at The Break Room. The focus, says organizer Amy DiLalla, is on sustainable fashion and upcycled goods.
Speaking of sustainability, though, is it really possible for the Berkshires to support two wiinter mini markets?
“There isn’t a lot of crossover necessarily between north and south county,” Di Lalla says. “There are so many makers in the area, and there’s so much consciousness going on with the shopping community to shop local.” And, she notes, the makers and market organizers work closely together. In fact, DiLalla, who makes natural gemstone jewelry through her company The Peach Tree, and Kanter are taking turns selling at each other’s market.
“It's not a competition,” DiLalla says. “Plus, it’s a completely different experience at the two markets. At the mini maker market in North Adams, you can check out the stores and open studios, then stay for brunch at The Break Room. In Great Barrington, after hitting the arts market, you can walk around downtown and make a day of it.”
Great Barrington Arts Market Winter Market
Feb. 19, March 19, April 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saint James Place
352 Main Street, Great Barrington
Greylock Works Mini Maker Market
First and third Sundays, February-April, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
508 State Road, North Adams
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