After a successful fall 2020 season, the outdoor Makers and Art Market located at the Mill at Shelburne Falls returns on Saturday, May 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Featuring work by resident makers and artists in wood, glass, pottery, metal and textile arts, the spring market welcomes an expanded field of vendors including new tenants and local community artisans. An additional October market is in the works.
Photographer Ben Barnhart, a familiar face at the markets working behind the scenes, participates as a vendor for the spring market. His photographs and notecards highlight regional scenes. Other “new to market” artists include sculptural gourd and watercolor artist Emily Gopen, Jane Beatrice Wegscheider with 2D mixed media artworks and drawings; Laura Iveson and her small photo-based artworks and brand new resident Judy Wombwell shows an assortment of origami pieces, abstract photographic panels and jewelry. Working out of the Jeremy Sinkus glass studio, Lindsey Gonzalez has her own display of nature related glass art (mountains, leaves, etc.) and Al Chapman contributes metal sculpture and wall pieces. Local community artists include woodturner WR Haines with memorial urns turned from local wood, Megan Hart’s porcelain pottery, bench jeweler Mark Lattanzi of Alchemy Studio with fine silver jewelry set with semi precocious stones, Valerie Bunnell creates figurative ceramic work, and Buckland weaver Emily Walsh Gwynn of Hands to Work textiles shows her heritage table linens and home decor.
Returning exhibitors to the market include Pat Moriarity, Conway Chair Company; flamework glass artist Jeremy Sinkus; The Mill’s resident textile artists: Heather Wynne of Connected Threads, Katie Cavacco of Free Ramblin’ Kids, and handweaver and felt maker Sue McFarland; Yani Counelis, mixed media artist; Tom Kuklinski, woodworker; Weather vane maker, Marian Ives; and Cara Leach with lanterns, animal themed tote bags, bookmarks, trivets. Other featured participants include members of The Handle Factory Community Clay Center founded in 2019 by Molly Cantor, potter and pottery teacher, with ceramics for sale in a variety of different styles.
The Mill has onsite parking at 49 Conway Street and is located on the Buckland side of the Iron Bridge at Shelburne Falls. Admittance is free and though outdoor mask requirements have been relaxed, patrons are reminded that market is considered an event so the wearing of masks and the observation of social distancing protocols is requested of all attendees.