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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,