The sixth Warehouse Market (since 2018) was held just a couple weeks ago and we’re still reminiscing. The indoor event, hosted on Nov. 18 at the Arts Warehouse in Delray Beach, featured 19 local vendors who span disciplines from ceramics to soap making to jewelry. There were also hands on activities for attendees to get crafty with, a food vendor and live music. It was a free, family friendly (and dog friendly) event. Read along for our recap, and be sure to be in attendance at the next Market.
Conveniently located indoors and air conditioned, attendees were able to shop around, linger, learn about different artists, and perhaps most importantly, connect with Delray’s art community. Live music was performed by Landon Heinrichs and DIY candle making was all the rage.
Program Director, Grace Gdaniec, shared that the Market is expanding its reach: “We marked more visitors than the Fall Market last year, so we count that as growth. The participating vendors seemed to have a great time. Logistically everything went smoothly and we’re really grateful for all who participated. We had more vendors this year as well.”
Based on insight from past markets, extra chairs and tables were added throughout the building so that attendees were able to comfortably eat, chat, relax and enjoy the live music. The intent was to create an environment to experience art in multiple ways, rather than just walking through vendors.
Local markets like this are a perfect way to connect with and support local artists. Many of the vendors who were present rely on pop-up markets to engage with customers and grow their audience. Besides, who doesn’t love to receive a handmade, local gift for the holidays? Better yet, who doesn’t love to give a handmade, local gift? “Meeting the artist creating what you’re buying is always a plus to me!” said Grace.
In addition to giving local artists an opportunity to connect with the Delray community, the Warehouse Market is also a peek into the many facets of the Arts Warehouse.
“There were also a lot of new people to Arts Warehouse, so that is a huge plus! The market is great for outreach and to reach an audience that otherwise may not have heard of AW or have been in before. It was also great for them to be able to explore the artist studio hallways and learn more about what AW does outside of the Market including the art workshops,” Grace said.
