In December, Discovery World's Dina Kashou transformed the museum's main promenade into a holiday artisan market, featuring 13 local artists and entrepreneurs and their wares just in time for the holiday shopping season.
For mall dodgers, it was a great way to buy one-of-a-kind gifts. For Milwaukeeans, it was an opportunity to buy locally. In fact, it was such a success that Kashou, who runs Discovery World's gift shop year-round, decided to do it again this year -- twice.
While there will be another holiday market Nov. 30, she's organized a summer edition for this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22 and 23. And with weather at its seasonal prime, her 25 vendors will set up under a tent in the ground's Posner Park, next to the outdoor Harley-Davidson exhibit.
This year, she's added a few local small businesses to the bunch, such as Omanhene Chocolate Co. and Vino 100. Latin jazz combo De la Buena plays Friday night as a soundtrack to the Vino 100's South American wine tasting. It's a multi-faceted celebration of Milwaukee's creative class.
"We definitely want to raise awareness that with every dollar spent you make a choice about whom and what you are supporting," Kashou says. "We want to give people options, and showcase all the unique talent our city has to offer. The more options we have to get around the major chain stores, (which many of us try to do) the easier it is. "
Kashou re-enforces her commitment to local artists by stocking her gift store with a wide selection of locally made products, such as jewelry, Brew City Botanicals skin care products, Milwaukee Beer Soap (made by the Brew master at the Milwaukee Ale house) and apparel designed and printed in Milwaukee.
"We also sell local art and photography and continue to support our own creative staff right here at Discovery World," she says. "We have a number of employees with recently published books, as well as (who) do outstanding maritime photography. Discovery World is not just a museum with static exhibits, but a hub for cultural exchange of ideas through educational programs, concerts, lectures, events, etc."
The artisan and entrepreneurial market runs Friday, 4-9 p.m. in Posner Park and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Discovery World promenade.
Want a sneak peak at what's in store? Here's a brief profile of some of the Milwaukee-area artisans involved in this year's market:
Omanhene Chocolate Co.
Fair Trade, shade grown chocolate direct from Ghana to Whitefish Bay.
www.omanhene.com
Paul Stephan Glass Blowing
Hand Blown glass pendants, marbles, wine stops, etc.
www.paulstephan.net
Nicholas Bonkalski; Stonesters
Unique handcrafted stone coasters hand picked from Lake Michigan.
www.stonesters.com
Chris Winters
Maritime photography and newly published book on the Froedert St. Mary Challenger.
www.runninglightpress.com
Fred Gillich/ SMAC designs
Rockin' screen-printed T-shirt designs.
www.smacdesign.com
Becky Tesch
Jewelry made from recycled bike parts.
www.mymishmosh.com
Kristine Stein; Brew City Botanicals
All natural bath and beauty products.
www.bcbotanicals.com
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
