Program In Focus

Townsville Artist Markets

Gallery Services runs the Townsville Artist Markets at the Riverway Arts Centre (internally and externally dependent on the season) on a bi-monthly basis. The Markets have provided opportunities for local arts and craft practitioners to promote and sell their products at one of Townsville’s most picturesque recreational precincts.

The Townsville Artist Markets contributes to the development of the region’s creative economy, and the continual development of local product. Although slightly less compared to the previous year, a total a 207 market stalls were presented in 2013/14.

The 2013/14 period saw significant internal imporovments in management of the Markets by introducing a revised application process for stall holders, the introduction of a mobile coffee service at the Townsville Artist Markets and the commencement of the satellite Cotters Market Handmade Arts and Crafts Precinct

The Cotters Market Handmade Arts and Crafts Precinct is intended to be a satellite event to the Townsville Artist Markets, and is hosted on the third Sunday of each month inside the Cotters Markets on Flinders Street. As this event is in early stages of development a total of 21 market stalls have been presented since January 2014.

Both Markets are intended to provide an entertainment alternative for families, and as such the event has also provided employment and busking opportunities for local musicians and roaming performers.

In delivering a multi-faceted event that utilises a much loved and easily accessible platform – the Markets – Gallery Services has continued to increase visitation across a broader audience who engage with fine arts and crafts being produced within the region.

The following talented individuals, bands and groups were employed or engaged to perform at the Townsville Artist Market in 2013/14:

+ Tilly & Matthew Maclean

+ Jacob Long

+ Raymond Drake

+ 4th Sunday Folk Music Group

+ Braden Askin

+ Troy Argent

+ Flute Magic

+ Luke Thomas

+ Dylan Russell

+ Stephen Brady

+ Joshua Denman

+ Sarah Little

+ Solomon Island Drum Group

+ Totally Bonkers Unique Circus Entertainment

– roaming circus performers

+ La Luna Youth Arts - roaming circus performers

+ Ryann Caley

+ The Balloon Man

+ Dancensations – showcasing contemporary ballroom dances

+ Wataru – contemporary Japanese artist demonstration

+ The Oddity – roaming circus performer

+ The Rec Room

A breakdown of Stalls per Market event is outlined below:

Townsville Artists Market

+ August 24: 31 market stalls

+ September 28: 33 market stalls

+ December 15: 62 market stalls

+ February 15: 26 market stalls

+ April 26: 27 market stalls

+ June 28: 25 market stalls

Cotters Market Handmade Arts and Crafts Precinct

+ January 19: 6 market stalls

+ February 16: 4 market stalls

+ March 16: 4 market stalls

+ April 20: 3 market stalls

+ May 18: 1 market stall

+ June 15: 4 market stalls