Saturday is the 21st anniversary of the First Saturday Arts Market. Located in a big parking lot next to Adore Dentistry, 540 W. 19th St. A mural of the phrase “I AM LOVE” adorns the east facing-side of the Adore building. Artists set up under dozens of white-canopied tents; the market is hard to miss.
First Saturday Arts Market captured by a friend of the market. (Submitted photo)
The monthly market is unique, in a city that hosts dozens of popup markets weekly, in that First Saturday Arts Market has always been about the art.
For those unfamiliar, I co-founded the market in 2004 to give artists like myself an opportunity to show their art directly to the public. There weren’t any regular outdoor markets at the time and other options were either highly competitive, infrequent, high entry fees/standards, and most did not focus solely on art.
The other co-founder was Carolyn Coates (angelwingarts.com). We were married at the time and both full-time artists. We experienced the same frustrations other artists did: limited opportunities. So we made our own. With no experience or even knowledge of how to begin.
We both had worked in theater in stage management and leaned on that experience for organizing. I lived by the phrase, “never met a stranger,” so I became the official recruiter.
Handmade jewelry by regularly attending artist, The Hanging Pendant. (Submitted photo)
There was no startup budget. We did everything from creating marketing posters to writing press releases. I remember sending a press release to a reporter asking if I “did this right,” and apparently that was enough to get us published. Looking back at my graphic designs, however, it’s a good thing I continued to pursue other endeavors!
I never anticipated the artists that eventually joined us also took ownership of the market’s spirit. Because they liked it.
The market gave artists, and still does, a home base, as one artist told me recently. A place to let their customers know where to find them. Socializing and networking with artists is always healthy, too, as it is in any field.
Thomas Carr in front of his 9-foot abstract painting. (Submitted photo)
Regular readers, I hope you’re still here. You know I love a good story, and I found one I want to share.
Showing your own art to the public definitely tests one’s emotional stamina. What’s the phrase: kids say the darnedest things? Well, that goes for adults, too, we’ve learned.
P.A. Mueller had just joined the art market, about 2007, and her emotional fortitude was tested immediately. This was her first time showing her art to the public, she told me recently.
Mueller’s abstract paintings were swirls of color, seemingly random but I always thought I saw something in them, which is the only thing that attracts me to abstract art — a hidden story, even if I’m the only one that sees it.
P.A. Mueller’s smile is legendary, pictured here at an early market. (Submitted photo)
“At my second show, a psychiatrist hands me a card after staring at my work and shaking his head and saying, ‘Call me… no charge… we need to talk,’” Mueller wrote.
That fella must have seen something akin to the Rorschach test. That’s the one where the patient looks at inkblots and has to state what they see in it.
Mueller took the good doctor to lunch, and billed him for her time. Way to go P.A.! She doesn’t exhibit at outdoor shows anymore but you can follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/p.a.mueller
Time flies when you’re having fun, and the art market certainly is that.
Ugly Cow by Jose Canales (submitted photo)
Heights Fools on Stools perform at noon Saturday. This Heights trio consists of Mike Spencer, Al Henson, and Bette Channell, blending acoustic folk with original tunes, delivering playful, heartfelt vibes. Spencer’s wife is artist Liz Conces Spencer, a first-attending artist at the market 21 years ago!
No food truck this time, but Moon Rabbit Vietnamese Restaurant steps in with bubble tea and Vietnamese coffee, while our favorite Houston Cider Co. pours ciders. Preview the dozens of artists on the website and follow on Instagram too. firstsaturdayartsmarket.com/ https://www.instagram.com/1stsatartmarket.
Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market. Visit his website at ArtValet.com.
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