Almost exactly a year after its debut, Milwaukee’s Maker Market kicks off its second season.
The craft, art and design market takes place five times this year, beginning on Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Bay View’s Colectivo at the intersection of Lincoln, Howell and Kinnickinnic Avenues.
When the event kicked off last year, organizer Cortney Heimerl said she was hoping to open avenues for local artists and artisans to interface with buyers and the community. The Maker Market – which is also slated to take place June 1, July 6, Aug. 3 and Sept. 7 – does just that.
"I want to bring more opportunities for creative people in Milwaukee," Heimerl said. "I want to advocate for a strong local creative community and make a regular event to foster relationships between fellow makers as well as vendors and shoppers.
"I also want to help people pay their rent – Maker Market is an event that connects artists to the local population and by doing this encourages creativity of all kinds to contribute to the vibrant culture that exists in Milwaukee."
It sounds like season one did just that.
"Last year, over the season we hosted over 150 different makers," Heimerl said, "and this year we are looking to break that record."
The event takes place rain or shine and there’s live music beginning at noon. On May 4, Thistledown Thunders – a new group performing "foot-stomping, hand-clapping mountain music" – will play.
The vendors slated to participate in the May event include:
- Madam Chino's Look Nook
- Hobbies from the Heart
- Big White Yeti
- Pangea Handmade
- La Prosette
- Becksons
- Junque Jolie
- Cloud Nine Soap Co.
- Walther Works
- Timmy K. Kramp Art
- Right Place Designs
- Innad
- Tandem Foods
- BrokenWingedBird
- Milwaukee Mustard Co.
- Dazzling Designs by Tracy
- Delandtree
- Permanent Baggage
- Over the Hill Pottery
- Bijoux Boutique
- Salvaged Studio & Gallery
- Norman and Roberta Craft Girl Studio
- Fern & Nettle
- Vision Gear
- ECE Candle's
- Girly Girl Baubles and Beads
- Cute vs. Gross
- RadArtGlass & John Kowalczyk
- Lalo
- Vintage 180
- Sparrow Collective
- Hubler Furniture Co.
- B-Kitty Creations
- The New Art Korp
- Milwaukee Alt.
- Bureau of Print Research and Design
- Morgan Kempfer Jewelry
- Sarah Jane Harper
