Fall Markets: Support Your Local Artists!

FALL MARKETS: SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS!

Fall came out of nowhere and here we are with pumpkin beverages materialized in hand. You’re tired of the overly-processed versions of Fall flavors. You want the real thing! Enter your local holiday markets, fairs, and conventions.

This year I will be vending with ICON for the first time in October, which in this case is a half-season mini con. The vendor hall is at the Masonic Lodge with ICON events the night of October 10 and all day October 11. The vendor hall will be open from 11am-4:55pm.

There will be other locations for events in the surrounding walkable area of downtown Iowa City. October 11 also coincides with the Iowa City Book Festival at Merge! Both events are free to the public, but there are ICON panels and activities that are available with purchasing a con badge ($25 for adult and $2 for kids).

More information on ICON 49.5 here!

I am putting the cart out before the horse a little bit for this Holiday Market. To be clear, the Parks & Rec Holiday Market in Iowa City is definitely happening, but my spot hasn’t been guaranteed yet. This is a great local market with unique crafts and goodies that tend to get buried in online search engines. You should go regardless if you are in the area!

Even Etsy has become suspect for mass-produced items and generative AI that is cleverly marketed to look like artisanal goods. Support your local artists and craftspeople by going out to your local markets and fairs. You will find something truly unique and get to know real people!

 

SKETCHES

Here are new animal sketches from the past month to enjoy! I have been spending some time at the Iowa City Museum of Natural History, which has an amazing taxidermy collection open to the public.

Steampunk Shenanigans

This past month I had the pleasure of holding a workshop at The Orange Space in Redlands where I talked about concept ideation and composition. The recently opened space is host to rentable work tables and monthly guest talks by creatives and entrepreneurs. It's a cool place to stop by after you've grabbed your à la minute ice cream.

There are two upcoming adventures this month for the time traveler and art collector! The first is the Iron Horse- Family Steampunk Carnivale on March 18-19 from 10am-5pm. It is on the grounds of the Orange Empire Railway Museum, which houses many a historical locomotive, including ones you can ride during the event. There will be live entertainment and Victorian-inspired vendors, which is where you will find me! I will be bringing signed prints, originals, and other collectible items. Both modern-dressed and Steampunked civilians are welcome!

Just a week after will be the bi-annual Downtown Redlands Art Walk on March 26 from 12pm-6pm. The art walk is always free to attend and continues to grow in size. It's a great time to grab a bite to eat and peruse the local artists on State St, Citrus Ave, and 5th St. I will be among several artists exhibiting indoors at the Cope Building, so come inside and find us!