Ballston Art and Craft Show

ARTS

Call for Local Artists

The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is searching for artists for the 2011 markets. By Abby Albright January 31, 2011

I sat down to talk with Jessica Blaszczak, the wonderful Markets Coordinator at the Ballston Partnership. Blaszczak is responsible for running the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market (http://patch.com/A-JhK), the only 100% handmade market in Arlington. She also put on this year's first-ever Holiday Artist Boutique (http://patch.com/A-cvgY). 

Blaszczak is currently reviewing applications for the 2011 Markets, the deadline is THIS Wed., Feb. 2, but she will review applications after that based on space. The modest Blaszczak is also the artist of This Little Piggy

(http://www.thislittlepiggymarket.net/home.html), her adorable custom piggy banks! 

Hurry and get your applications (http://ballstonarts- craftsmarket.blogspot.com/) in now.

Patch: What is the call for artists about?

Blaszczak: Planning for the 2011 Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is in full swing! We're now looking for both new and returning artists to apply to the upcoming season. We're starting one month early in April, so the submission deadline for applications is earlier this year--Wed., Feb. 2. (Submissions received after Feb. 2 will be reviewed on a rolling basis and are subject to availability.)

Patch: Who is eligible to enter?

 Blaszczak: Local artists (NOVA, DC, Baltimore, etc.) are all welcome to apply! We are Arlington's only 100% handmade art market, so no mass-

produced, commercially produced items are eligible.

Patch: How many artists will be selected? Blaszczak: This is a tough question! There are 35 exhibitor spaces per show, but since some artists participate in multiple shows and some only participate in one or two, it's hard to say. My guess would be about 100+ artists per season.

Patch: Where and when will the market be held?

Blaszczak: The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is held in pretty, tree-lined Welburn Square (http://ballston.patch.com/listings/welburn- square) between North Stuart and North 9th Streets, right across from on the Ballston Metro. 

We set up from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. the second Saturdays of every month from April to October. For exact market dates, please visit our blog at http://ballstonarts-craftsmarket.blogspot.com/ (http://ballstonarts- craftsmarket.blogspot.com/).

Patch: Will we see some of our favorite artists from last year?

Blaszczak: Absolutely! You'll see a bunch of returning artisans from last season, like Herban Lifestyle (http://herbanlifestyle.com/), Melissa Lew (http://www.melissalew.com/), Bette's Bags (http://www.bettesbags.com/), Steven L. Miller Words and Images (http://www.SLMphoto.com/), The BumbleBee Studio (http://TheBumbleBeeStudio.com/), and BoxBoy Demented Decoupage (http://www.boxboyboxes.com/)--just to name a few.

Patch: What should Arlingtonian's be excited for about this year's market?

Blaszczak: The talent this year is off the charts! Every year, word seems to be spreading about our community market, so the participating artists keep getting better and better. I'm also really excited about the bands performing this year. Really great stuff.

Patch: What else would you like to know Ballston to know?

Blaszczak: We have a lot in store for our exhibitors and visitors this year--artist raffles, craft demos, awesome music, free giveaways and many more surprises, so please keep checking the blog for updates and come out and support Arlington's best and only 100% handmade market!