Member Article

Sunderland Makers Market to make its return.

One of Sunderland’s most dynamic creative spaces, Creative Cohesion is preparing to host the popular Sunderland Makers Market when it makes its return to the city on February 22.

Following the success of last year’s events, 10 Makers Markets have been announced for 2014 with the first two being held indoors for the first time. The markets, which will be held on February 22 and March 22, will take place in Creative Cohesion’s Sunniside studios.

Creative Cohesion is a registered charity which specialises in arts based activities to help develop people’s learning, understanding and appreciation of art and creativity.

Formed in 2010 by a group of Sunderland based artists who converted a derelict garage into a unique creative space, the charity has become home to professional artists working in glass, ceramics, fine art, photography, graphic design and music.

KathrynTye, Creative Cohesion, said: “We’re really pleased to be hosting the first two Makers Markets of the year here at Creative Cohesion. As well as providing a great platform for our tenants and Sunderland’s other makers to sell their work and goods, we hope it will encourage people to come into the Sunniside studio and find out more about what we do.

“Creative Cohesion now has over 20 tenants so there’ll be a large variety of work on our stall from a wide range of different artists.”

The February market will offer a wide range of unique and individual finds including handmade homewares and gifts, fine art and paintings, handmade jewellery and accessories, and even scented candles.

The market is coordinated by Event Producer, Lesley Cooperwaite who said: “The Makers Markets play a vital role in raising awareness of Sunderland’s talented artists and makers.

“It’s fantastic that these first two markets will be held in Creative Cohesion – it will allow those visiting the markets to get a real insight into the great work being carried out by creatives in the city. Bringing the market indoors also means we can protect people from the unpredictable weather!”

The first of 10 markets set to be held this year, the February Makers Market will feature up to fourteen stalls. Highlights will include fine art and paintings by Rachel Brewin, and a range of individual bags, purses and accessories on offer from Louise Garbutt. Creative Cohesion will present an assortment of glass, ceramics, fine art, and photography whilst Deborah Cauchi will have an array of her much loved paintings.

The success of the previous markets has attracted a number of new stallholders to sign up, including Handmade by Judith. Judith Smith, who is behind the family-run business, handcrafts a range of wooden homewares and gifts using a range of materials from high quality wood to drift wood.

Judith said: “I heard about the Makers Markets and thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to showcase my work to a wider audience, as well as getting to know other makers and artists based in the city. Markets like this are so important for independent traders and it’s great to see them going from strength to strength.”

Supported by Sunderland City Council’s Business and Investment Team, the market is a means of creating business opportunities for creative industries in the city and is part of a new drive to develop a vibrant creative economy in the city.

Last year’s Makers Markets were a proven success, attracting scores of shoppers looking for something different. With what is expected to be an impressive array of stalls and its new indoor location, this latest market is set to be another great success.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marie Donnelly .