Co-Sponsored by: AdamsMorgan MainStreet

Artists, Artisans, and Craftspeople---Come Showcase Your Work

A new original art/craft Saturday market started in Adams Morgan. Co-Sponsored by Adams Morgan Main Street, who promotes this fun and quality addition to Saturday day-time shopping, and invites patrons to sample the restaurants and ethnic locale.

Saturdays 10:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location is 18th Street NW at Wyoming Ave;
the Marie Reed School plaza

You'll be thrilled by
Western Market's artisans and offerings
Special Night Bazaar, July 9, 2005 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

A wide array of arts and crafts of high quality

Quality small gift items
Color photography from around the globe; and black and white abstracts
Paintings in a variety of mediums
Jewelry made of silver, beads, glass
Pottery and stoneware, also glassware
Handbags made from Argentinean leather & vintage cloths
Hand-made clothes for man, woman and child
Wood items for the home
And much, much more......

CONCEPT: A market where artists display and sell their original work; where the community and its visitors can enjoy a unique Saturday shopping experience on a predictable and regular basis. Co-sponsored by Adams Morgan Main Street, the goal is to increase pedestrian activity on 18th St and complement other shopping and restaurants. The juried panel's goal is to create a diverse group of vendors with an array of different crafts and art forms to complement the diversity of the neighborhood.

Offered by Avner Ofer, an experienced Eastern Market vendor and original artist, whose work includes National Geographic. Avner's background includes sole proprietor of a successful photography business and experience working with juried shows, art galleries, and vendors markets. "Thomas Jefferson envisioned a market in every quadrant of the city - East, West, North, and South. Today we have Eastern Market as the only neighborhood-based market. The time is right to make Jefferson's dream a reality - starting with the west," says Avner. Western Market in the diverse and vibrant neighborhood of Adams Morgan could become a permanent institution in the city.

AdamsMorgan MainStreet Group: Western Market located on the plaza of Marie Reed School, right on 18th street, will be a highly visible small business retail operation, the hallmark of Adams Morgan. Main Street President Lisa Duperier "welcomes Western Market as a fun and quality addition to Adams Morgan, contributing to our unique sense of place. A new retail component like this complements existing businesses and is beneficial to all," she concluded.
        Main Street will assist local businesses to create complementary marketing strategies and hours of operation. The Economic Diversification committee is assisting with the market’s development , and with surveying of local Adams Morgan businesses to insure no duplication of goods. Main Street is pleased to bring technical assistance and specific promotion and advertising. Main Street had been seeking various market and festival ideas.

BACKGROUND: Avner Ofer explains, "My idea of creating this market stems from my love of spending time walking through Adams Morgan. Imagine a Saturday stroll, getting fresh fruit at the farmers market. Then proceeding along 18th street, perhaps stopping for a fresh cup of coffee and pastry tidbit. After people watching along the street, you arrive at an outdoor art market, where original art and high quality crafts from around the world are on sale. Afterwards, you might take the kids across the street for Maggie Moo's ice cream or eat a bite in local restaurants or then shop in local shops."
        Community Focus
Director Avner says, "There are many artists who would love a chance to display/sell their work but have yet to find a venue. Western Market will allow such original artists, especially any local ones, to share their talent. There's always room for volunteers (even kids for extra credit) to help with the operation of the market."

SPECIFICS for VENDORS:

• Juried Panel for the market [Vendor application PDF]
  A juried panel which screens applicants increases the quality of crafts and arts to be displayed and guarantees a fair system for all applicants. Each applicant will submit 4 slides of their work for review. This will allow the jury to create a balanced market with a diversity of artists and crafters. Most of the work will be hand-made original arts or craft, however there is room for some unique, fair-trade items.
• Times of Operation
  Open every Saturday 10:00am- 5pm from March through December, closing for January and February. This is an open-air market that will run rain or shine, however if inclement weather is deemed dangerous, the market will not ope
• Size and Spaces
  Initially, Western Market will strive for up to 32 vendors in the plaza area, and then allow for additional spots on the lower level if needed. Vendor spaces are all 10x10, which is the standard tent size. Permanent vendors (those who commit to every Saturday) will get priority in location and some will get a permanent space. This will encourage artists to become regulars at the market, and allow the community to be familiar with the artists, and allow referrals
• Loading/unloading
  The morning unloading process will take place from 8:00 - 9:00. At that time 18th St. is quiet, with sufficient spaces for vendors to park, unload, and cart their merchandise to their assigned space. After unloading, they will be required to move their vehicles. Loading will begin in the afternoon. Vendors will be allowed to bring in vehicles only when all of their display has been broken down and packed. This will minimize the time vendors park to load. Loading takes less time and will be scheduled in batches of vendors, not all at once.
• Market Maintenance and Cleaning
  Maintaining a clean, professional environment for vendors and customers alike is a priority, and no trash will be left behind, and trash found on the premises will be removed at the Saturday morning opening. As stated in the application packet, each vendor is responsible for their area, with overall responsibility residing with the market manager. When we depart each Saturday, all trash will be collected in garbage bags and taken to dumpsters.
• Appearance and Presentation
  Western Market will be a professional place of business. Standards for all vendors and their displays will be stated in the initial application packet. [see Vendor application PDF]. The market as a whole will have a customer friendly layout for people to enjoy.

PLEASE---VISIT ANY SATURDAY
www.DCWesternMarket.com
Avner Ofer DCWesternMarket@yahoo.com (202) 299-7358