If all this talk of summer's ending is making you feel depressed, make sure you see the season off with a bang at tomorrow night's Artists' Market "End of Summer Celebration."
This Thursday night the market—held at the Mint Promenade (between The Mint and Jane's on Main Street in Hailey)—will be packed full of new and returning artists and will feature live music from the Kim Stocking Band. The Mint Bar will sell beer and wine at an outside booth and Tom Abbott will fire up the grill for his award-winning barbecue. And for kids, there will be free rootbeer floats and face painting. The celebration marks the end of the Artists' Market's first season.
"For our first year it has been really good," said the market's assistant director Emily Andrews. "The artists have been very excited to have a venue like this and it is also great for the community."
Despite a few slow nights and the challenges associated with enticing people to a new venue, the market has definitely been a success and they will all be back for more next year.
"For the first year for any group it is always going to take a while to get going, but it is so great for the artists and we are very excited for next year," Andrews said. "Yes, we'll be back. Same time, same place, but better!
"Personally, I've learned a lot from the experience," continued Andrews. "I've learned how to work with the city. I've met a lot of new people and I feel more connected with the community. It's a great feeling. I feel very positive and so happy and so strong about the market's future."
The Artist's Market signals an important trend in the south Valley: a boom of local craftsmen who recognize the value of what hasn't thrived here since the seventies—a community of artists who work together to interact with and bring their art to the local public. While it might be more lucrative to cash in on eBay, a local art venue not only provides financial support for individuals, but also encourages young artists and attracts other craftsmen to an area.
"When I first heard about it, I thought, 'this would be a great thing for me.'" said Heidi Mexia, a jewelry-maker who, along with Andrews and Alissa McGonigal, runs the market. "Now, I think this is a cool thing for Hailey."
McGonigal spearheaded the project after the South Valley Merchant's Association suggested it. "I've met so many talented artists in this valley who don't have an affordable place to show their art," she said. "I just felt that Hailey is ready for more art."
Mike Baldwin, of River Rock Art in Bellevue, has been a regular fixture at the markets and has found it to be a great boon to his burgeoning business, which makes planters and other decorative items out of rock found in the Big Wood and other rivers.
"I moved here just this year and doing this has been my motivation, it has really helped me get the exposure I need," Baldwin said.
For longtime Wood River Valley resident Poo Wright Pulliam, the market has given her an opportunity to try her hand at selling some of her homemade crafts. Her hottest seller has been her "Wood River Valley Gardener's Calendar" but the renowned ornithologist also brought along some of her winged-friend inspired ceramic art work, greeting cards and unique birder amulets.
"I think it is a marvelous idea," she said. "I love this venue. I'm happy with it and I've done well."
Thursday night's celebration will be a fitting end to a successful first year for the Artists' Market. Combined with the Farmers' Market and the South Valley Merchants' Alliance First Thursday Celebrations, the Artists' Market is the reason Thursday nights have become Hailey's biggest night out. Mexia expects a big crowd tomorrow to help the artists, craftsmen, and musicians celebrate the end of the market's inaugural summer.
"We just hope that people will come down and party with us."
Additional reporting by Betsy Andrews
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Celebrate the end of summer
This Thursday at the Mint Promenade, the Artists' Market "End of Summer Celebration" will include live Music by Kim Stocking Band and musician Paul Cox, Tom Abbott's Famous BBQ dinner ($6), Music N' Me Kids booth with Mitzi Mecham, free face painting and root beer floats. The event runs from 3:30 to 8 p.m.
Booths at this week's event will be Sun Valley Mushrooms (bright ceramic garden art), The Art of Bigwood, Eiquihua's Log Work, Nick Stelma's Photography, The Painted Chair, River Rock Art, Fit to Be Tyed, The Love Bird Effect (birdhouses), Poppy Blue Jewelry Designs, Jon Adams Woodwork, Freak of Nature Birdhouses and Heidi Jewelry Designs & Garden Art.
Emily Andrews, assistant director of the Artists' Market, keeps a watchful eye over proceedings. The market will end its first season this Thursday night. Express photo by Jennifer Tuohy
