To an artist work is more than just making a living. Art is about connections between peoples, places and ultimately a connection between yourself, your choices, and your contribution to the world.
Possessions used to resonate with us, because of the memories tied to them or the efforts involved in making them. Does it then come as a surprise that the mass production of items we have no connection to creates waste and pollution? Traditional skills are an invisible thread with our past and understanding how things are made helps us better understand why we are who we are and why we interact with each other and our environment the way we do.
The AlterWork Studios’ Makers Bazaar is an invitation into our lives; we hope to inspire you to seek out these connections in your own life and the choices you make. We aim to demonstrate that traditional and creative skills require hard work, an investment of time and effort, but the end results produce mental and spiritual rewards that are incredibly satisfying not just to your own life but those you share it with too. We believe strangers coming together to share art and traditional skills, expands our community, breaks communication barriers and preserving these skills enriches all our lives.
SATURDAY
September 17, 2022
12PM - 6PM
31st Avenue between 33rd and 34th street
Astoria, New York 11106
Who’s participating?
Bash The Trash's Sustainable Sounds Show featuring Rohin Khemani and Sam Kulik uses strange and cool musical instruments made from trash to create connections to science, music, and the environment! With fun songs and informative demonstrations our versatile performers show how to build instruments while exploring the science behind them. We always include timely and important information about plastic pollution and climate change, and how everyone can get involved in the fight for our planet. www.bashthetrash.com
Come visit the Astoria Bookshop's censorship education & postcard writing booth, to kick off Banned Books Week! www.astoriabookshop.com
Key & Arrow Leather will be presenting her leather work: bags, small wallets, leather journals, keychains. Visitors will be invited to participate in a demonstration about the types of leather, stitching, hardware setting, and stamping. www.etsy.com/shop/KeyandArrowLeather
Stop by the Five Points Instruments display for a look at a selection of Cigar Box Guitars. The Salt Cracker Crazies will be performing a rousing set of jug music at 3PM.
Learn how to knit or crochet! Visit the Queens Knitting Circle and studio artist Rachel Wease for a quick lesson on starting your next yarn creation. Do you already know how to knit/crochet? Bring your current work in progress and show it off to the other yarn enthusiasts.
Antique restoration, gold leaf gilding, mosaic making, and model boat building!
Stop by our Kids Creativity Corner for a fun craft led by local artist Carla Reyes from 2-4PM.
Studio Artists Stacey Burgay and Daniel Cordani will be leading a collage workshop for all visitors looking to dabble in the creative act of “cut and paste”.
Are you interested in different printmaking techniques? Learn from studio artists Diana Alsip, Judyta Grudzien, and Nafisa Ferdous all about cyanotypes and stamp making.
Studio Artist Jimmy Mathews will be demonstrating basic woodworking techniques.
Have we lost the ability to hold a conversation? Are we constantly distracted by our phones and mobile devices? Take a break from the Makers Bazaar and take a seat in The Art of Conversation Section. The one rule: NO PHONES allowed. Have a conversation with the people around you.
SWAP IT CORNER: Do you have items or objects that are deserving of a second life? Bring them to the Bazaar and exchange them at the Swap It station. Bring something… take something.
Studio Artist Sarah Conrad will be demonstrating the ins and outs of Chair Canning.
Support your local artists by shopping the creations we have on display: ceramics, prints, art, and more!
