Bazaar connects artists with art patrons, no matter their budget

When you see the shipping container, you’ll know you’re in the right place.

But if somehow the “Terrain”-emblazoned container doesn’t catch your eye, the rows and rows of booths filled with art and other goods will signal that you’ve found Bazaar.

The one-day annual event, presented by Terrain and sponsored by Global Credit Union, will be Saturday on Howard and Wall streets between Riverside and Main avenues.

Since its 2014 debut, Bazaar has worked to introduce artists and makers with art patrons of varying budgets.

This year, 108 artists and makers will display their work at booths, though the total number of artists and makers represented will be a little higher thanks to that shipping container.

Bazaar is typically shipping container-free, but this year the folks at Terrain decided to convert the container, donated by Berg Company, to bring a taste of the Pop Up Shop, which sells art and goods from local creatives located on Lincoln Street, to Bazaar.

For one thing, Terrain program director and co-founder Ginger Ewing and operations director Jackie Caro believe it will help people connect the dots and understand that the Pop Up Shop is affiliated with Terrain.

For another, the storage container furthers Terrain’s goal with both Bazaar and the Pop Up Shop.

“Our internal goal for Bazaar and the Pop Up Shop is to give artists and makers the tools and the resources they need in order to do this full time,” Ewing said. “Bazaar is a one-day version of that and the Pop Up Shop is a 365-day, year-round version of that.”

Spokane Valley-based Taylor’d Containers will move the container into place, free of charge.

The shipping container will also make an appearance at Hoopfest, June 30 and July 1.

The artists and makers at booths were selected by a panel of jurors who worked to ensure a diverse group of art and other goods was present at Bazaar.

Caro said the panel was made up of people of different ages and tastes. “That allows a little bit more of a variety, so it’s not one person making the decision on everything.”

This year’s Bazaar features a mix of new and returning artists and makers selling a little bit of everything: wall art, jewelry, paper goods, items for kids and pets, clothing and accessories, home goods, ceramics, food and drink, bath and body products, and jewelry.

Two nonprofit organizations, Shine Art Center and alifeYOUnited, will also be at Bazaar with family-friendly activities.

Ewing is looking forward to checking out ISHI, a line of earrings from new-to-Spokane maker Tara Lawson.

Reinaldo Gil Zambrano’s woodcut prints are also on her list, as is a new clothing line Spokane’s Jon Deviny is going to debut at Bazaar.

“It’s one of the cool things about what this event is coming into is we have people like Jon Deviny, who’s creating entirely new work to make its debut at this particular event,” she said. “People who follow him and love his work can get excited about seeing him at the show.”

Ewing and Caro said they were both pleasantly surprised to see how many artists and makers will be offering goods for children at this year’s Bazaar.

Desireé Torres and Corinna Ren have clothing and blankets for children, and Darcy Lee Saxton creates art that’s perfect for a child’s room.

Audrey Feetham and Rebecca Hodge will also be on hand with goods from Sparrow Baby and the Hatching Hen, respectively.

“There is a lot of different stuff for different people,” Caro said. “In the past, we probably haven’t had as many baby clothes. There’s something for almost everyone.”

And that’s the goal of Bazaar. Since the first event, the folks at Terrain wanted to make the show accessible to artists, makers and art buyers.

At least half of the art and goods for sale must be priced at $100 or less, and a booth only costs $100 for an artist or maker to rent.

The hope is that patrons who might not be able afford pieces worth thousands of dollars can still find artists whose work they enjoy and purchase art and goods in the $100-and-less price range.

When those patrons are able to spend more on art, they’ve already built relationships with artists and makers they met at Bazaar.

Judging from last year’s total sales of $100,000, the plan is working, furthering Terrain’s goal to help local artists looking to stay and thrive in Spokane.

“Our goal as an organization is to get money in the pockets of artists and this is a really, really good event to do that…,” Ewing said. “($100,000) is not insignificant when you’re looking at the livelihood and the resources that artists need to not only make a living here but to want to stay here because they feel supported by their community.”

Bazaar also features a full day of music from DJ Unifest Co. (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), DJ Lydell (1-3 p.m.), DJ James Hunt (3-5 p.m.), Technological Taxidermy (5-7 p.m.) and DJ Scotty Ingersoll (7-9 p.m.) and a beer garden sponsored by No-Li Brewhouse.