ATHENA ZELANDONII
Makers and creatives from across South East Queensland will come together for the Indigenous Artisan Markets in South Brisbane this Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
The event, which is being held in partnership with Wandering Cooks, on the corner of Fish Lane and Cordelia Street, in South Brisbane, will feature stalls selling a range of artworks, homewares, jewellery and food.
Wandering Cooks events and marketing manager Ashleigh Thomas said the focus was on providing people who have a predominantly online business presence with a physical space in the community to show their products.
“No one’s really heard of them before, so it’s not the usual people you see at every market, you’re seeing something different,” Ms Thomas said.
“It’s all being done out of good heart, that’s what Wandering Cooks essentially wants to do, we always want to support the little guys, so we create a home for them,” she said.
The first Indigenous Artisan Market was held by Wandering Cooks, with the support of the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT), during NAIDOC month in July, and showcased 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
A spokesperson for DESBT said the market provided businesses with an opportunity for brand exposure, and to grow their customer base.
“The market complements other existing markets, such as the Meeanjin Markets, and provides a platform for online businesses to enter into the marketplace space,” the spokesperson said.
Nunukul, Ngugi and Goenpul artisan, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, said art markets were crucial to the development of her work and provided an important opportunity to engage with the public.
“It’s a great place of exchange,” Ms Cockatoo-Collins said.
“The artist has access to a market and the public have an opportunity to purchase items directly, and to hear about the story, process and mediums is invaluable,” she said.
“It’s exciting to prepare for these markets, and to connect with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.”
Ms Thomas said the first market “felt good” and said she hoped the day came when the event outgrew the space at Wandering Cooks.
“We’re always bigger and better when we do things together,” she said.
The Indigenous Artisan Market is on Saturday August 31 from 10am to 3pm.
For more information visit their event page.