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The second annual International Folk Art Market Arlington will take place on June 14-16 at The Green at College Park on the University of Texas at Arlington campus. Photos courtesy of International Folk Art Market Arlington
Art for artists’ sake The philanthropic International Folk Art Market Arlington returns to the city for the second year, bigger and better
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he world’s largest International Folk Art Market returns to Arlington for its second year, bringing with it global folk art, international cuisine, live entertainment, familyfriendly activities, VIP events, and more. On June 14-16, the International Folk Art Market will feature more than 40 master folk artists from 30 different countries, a collection that will exhibit and sell their handmade artworks to local, state, national and international visitors. The three-day Market will be held at The Green at College Park on the University of Texas at Arlington campus. Linda Dipert, who, along with Tony Pompa, is co-chair of the event, says Market organizers are hoping to double last year’s attendance of 3,400. To that end, they have enhanced practically everything that 24
ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2018 • arlingtontoday.com
2017 patrons experienced. “This year, we are looking forward to more artists, an extra day of activities and a new setup with bigger tents that will make the experience even more enjoyable for our attendees,” says Dipert, who notes that the concept behind the market is what makes it so appealing. Seventy-five percent of profits go home with the artists to benefit their families and communities. “The International Folk Art Market Arlington is much bigger than the art itself, because of its dramatic economic impact on the home communities of the artists,” says Dipert, who founded the Market in Arlington last year. “Our exhibiting artists typically earn around $3 per day in their home country. As a result of their participation in the International Folk Art Market, each artist takes home an average of nearly $10,000,
providing as much as five years of income that could sustain their entire community.” More than $350,000 worth of art is expected to be sold in 2018, with prices ranging from $5-$5,000. Pompa shares Dipert’s enthusiasm for the Market and has been spreading the word about it at a variety of local gatherings during the month preceding the event. “I’m really excited to have a chance to do it a second time,” he says. “I love the mission behind the market, and I love what it brought to Arlington last year and will bring to the area again this year.” Fare at the Market runs the gamut. Mediums will include jewelry, beadwork, basketry, carvings, ceramics, glasswork, metalwork, paintings, mixed media, sculpture, textiles, musical instruments, and home goods, from artists who have traveled from countries such as Italy, Ghana, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, Ukraine, South Sudan, Myanmar, Peru and many others. In addition to the artwork, the event will feature internationally inspired food, drinks, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and VIP shopping opportunities. 2018 Market specifics include: • “Shop the Kasbah” VIP Preview Party on June 14 – On Thursday, from 7 - 11 p.m., this VIP event will kick-off the 2018 Market, offering attendees a preview of the Market with the first opportunity to shop one-of-a-kind art. “Shop the Kasbah” is the theme, and the evening will include authentic Moroccan cuisine, spiced cocktails, belly dancing, henna tattoos, street musicians and more. Tickets are $150 and include all-day Market access on Friday and Saturday. • “Early Bird” Shopping on June 15 – On Friday, from 8 - 9 a.m., attendees can purchase $25 tickets that include all-day Market access on Friday and Saturday, as well as a chance to “early bird” shop on Friday. • Friday Market on June 15 – The market is open to the public on Friday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 if purchased online (folkartmarket.org/arlington/) or $15 at-the-door. Admission is free for youth, ages 16 and younger. • Saturday Market on June 16 – The market is open to the public on Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon. As is the case on Friday, tickets cost $10 if purchased online or $15 at-the-door, and admission is free for youth, ages 16 and younger. • Saturday Afternoon Community Market on June 16 – From noon - 2 p.m. on Saturday the market is open to the public with no tickets required – there is free admission for all. • Family Day Saturday & Children’s Passport Project on June 16 – From 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, young children and their families are invited to participate in the Passport Project by receiving a special Market passport to explore around the world, “visit” a list of countries/artists, and get their passport stamped. After children complete their itinerary, a refreshing treat will be provided to celebrate their travels. Participation is free. >>>
Artists who will be at the Market Mireille Delisme Country: Haiti; Media: Beadwork Manvee Vaid Country: India Soni Gurung Country: Nepal; Media: Textiles Ujjwal Shrestha Country: Nepal; Media: Mask Making Ly Ta May Country: Vietnam; Media: Media: General, Textiles Ebenezer Nomoda Djaba Country: Ghana; Media: Beadwork Meeri Tuya and Loice Sanaipei Lolkinyiei Country: Kenya; Media: Jewelry Marie Alexandrine Rasoanantenaina Country: Madagascar; Media: Basketry, Textiles Aissata Namoko Country: Mali; Media: Textiles Mohamed El Maouloud Ag Hamid Country: Mali; Media: Jewelry / Leatherwork Lhoucine Taous Country: Morocco; Media: Metalwork Ella Kamati Country: Namibia; Media: Basketry, Jewelry Akeem Ayanniyi Country: Nigeria; Media: Other (Musical Instruments) Evah Mudenda Country: Zimbabwe; Media: Basketry Chantha Nguon Country: Cambodia; Media: Textiles Andrea Usai Country: Italy; Media: Jewelry Luis Méndez López Country: Spain; Media: Jewelry Lesia Pona Country: Ukraine; Media: Several Amina Yabis Country: Morocco; Media: Jewelry, Other Hamdi Natsheh, Hamzeh Natsheh Country: Palestinian Territories; Media: Glasswork
As might be expected of a project of this magnitude, a number of entities have been working together to make this year’s Market even better than its predecessor, which featured just over 30 artists, some 400 volunteers and extensive coordination with both the city and the University of Texas at Arlington. The Market is produced in partnership with the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council, The University of Texas at Arlington, and the City of Arlington. Beginning literally just after the 2017 event concluded, Dipert and Pompa began laying the groundwork for this year’s Market. “The day after we closed last year, we sat down and asked if everyone was on board [for 2018],” Dipert recalls. “They said, ‘yes,’ and off we went.” Pompa says he, Dipert and the steering committee reviewed what worked well last year and what “looked like it worked well to visitors but actually had us frantically scrambling around,” and began plotting the enhancements Dipert noted earlier. One of the notable improvements for guests will be an expanded number of tents to keep the area cooler. “June is June in Texas. There’s no way around it,” Pompa says. “But this time there will be shade for vendors and shoppers, too, and that will be a welcome addition.” For advice on some of the other enhancements, volunteers and Sylvia Nichols of the steering committee – which also consists of Dipert, Pompa, Andy Nguyen, Dr. Aaron Reich, Mary Gilman and Terry Gaines – traveled to Santa Fe, N.M., the site of the original International Folk Art Market, to confer with veteran event planners 26
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Amna Shariff Country: Pakistan; Media: Jewelry Santosh Kumar Rathi Country: India; Media: Textiles Kartik Hirabhai Chauhan Country: India; Media: Textiles Mamta Varma Country: India; Media: Textiles Kadyrkul Sharshembieva, Aliya Sharshembieva, and Raushan Sharshembieva Country: Kyrgyzstan; Media: Textiles Pa Mang Country: Myanmar; Media: Textiles Gulnora Odilova Country: Uzbekistan; Media: Textiles Artesanias Chilenas Country: Chile; Media: Jewelry Marco Remigio Paillamilla Ortiz Country: Chile; Media: Jewelry Reinel Mendoza and Magno Mahecha Country: Colombia; Media: Apparel, Jewelry Roberto Gil Esteban Country: Cuba; Media: Painting Creaciones Ecologicas La Colonia (CRÉELA) Country: Dominican Republic; Media: Handbags Andrea Tello Country: Ecuador; Media: Jewelry Josnel Bruno and Jean Mickerson Country: Haiti; Media: Metalwork Carla Fernández Country: Mexico; Media: Apparel Daniel Paredes Cruz Country: Mexico; Media: Home Accessories Porfirio Gutierrez and Juana Gutierrez Contreras Country: Mexico; Media: Textiles Innovando la Tradicion Country: Mexico; Media: Ceramics Agustín Cruz Prudencio Country: Mexico; Media: Carving (wood) Claudio Jimenez Quispe Country: Peru; Media: Mixed media
there about how to make the 2018 Market better. “We went to the Mother Ship,” Dipert says with a laugh. “We got some great feedback, as well as their endorsement of what we did last year. They said we did a really good job. That meant a lot, because they understand better than anyone all that goes into an event like this.” When the time came to rally the roughly 400 volunteers who participated in 2017, virtually 100 percent said they wanted to “re-up.” With the planning completed and the personnel in place, that left one major base to touch that Dipert says didn’t get sufficient attention last year: marketing the Market. After weighing several options, the steering committee decided to work with the Fort Worth-based Pavlov Agency. “They handle the marketing for Main Street Arts Festival in Fort Worth,” Dipert says. “We liked that they had previous experience and expertise in a one-off event, something that happens just once a year. They’ve done a great job getting the word out. There’s so much activity in this community and area. It’s hard to get people to notice you. But I don’t think there’s any media we haven’t touched on this year.” So now, Dipert, Pompa and Co. will welcome the artists and their patrons, one of whom hails from London. Another will come from Minnesota. “This truly is an international event,” Dipert says. “We’re very excited how far we’ve come in a very short time.” Information on the Market can be found via the event website, folkartmarket.org/Arlington/. There are also regular updates on Facebook (facebook.com/FolkArtArlington/) and on Instagram (instagram.com/folkartarlington/).