Fine day, Sunday

Cool art, bro. Show it again.

Sunday Art Market comes around

Article: Laura Billett – Contributor

[dropcaps round=”no”]T[/dropcaps]he Sunday Art Market is a bi-weekly market held to provide a space for emerging and established artists to promote their work, meet other artists, and hopefully make a bit of money. It is held in the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, every second Sunday from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m, the next market being March 23.

The Sunday Art Market began last June by Roberto Lopez Lopez and Bruno Hernani. When Lopez Lopez left to focus on his own artistic endeavours, Juri Cachene took over as coordinator. Cachene and Hernani registered the market as a Non-Profit organization in December 2013, and since then, they have been working tirelessly, along with the small board of four members and a handful of volunteers to coordinate artists, tables, and performances.

At first, the market was small, participating artists being people the coordinators already knew. As word spreads, however, and the market grows in popularity, more and more local artists have been participating. Cachene says that some artists are involved every market, but there are always new faces, so no week is ever the same.

Any artist can be involved. The market welcomes visual artists, crafters, singers, dancers, musicians, and the like. Tables are inexpensive, only $15 or $10 with a membership. There is no lengthy and paper-laden application process; artists need only email sundayartmarket@hotmail.com to confirm their attendance. If you are an artist of any sort, the Sunday Art Market is an inexpensive and easy way to get involved in the Regina arts scene.

If you aren’t an artist, but love music, dance, and beautiful works of art, the Sunday Art Market is the ideal way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. The DJ duo, 2 beats & a Hat, always play during the market, so you can expect great music, great art, and if you’re lucky some great live performances. Admission is free, or by donation, so it is accessible to anyone and everyone.

Though held regularly in the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, the market is experimenting with different locations. Cachene says they hope it will increase the market’s popularity as well as draw out different audiences from around the city.

“That’s one place that the board would like to go, just to be able to move the market out of the Cathedral area and into other spaces.”

This summer, they are hoping to move downtown and run during the day to attract more artists and audiences. There is so much room for the Sunday Art Market to grow and develop, and Cachene and Hernani are not afraid to experiment to discover what works best.

Though young, the market is growing quickly and creatively. They do not restrict their activities to the bi-weekly gatherings, but rather participate in the community as much as possible. This past summer, the market’s family of artists collectively created a mural on Broad Street. This year, they are hoping to participate in Art in Bloom at the MacKenzie Art Gallery.

The Sunday Art Market is a welcoming and lively community that is making the right kind of effort to foster local art development and growth in Regina.

“We want to help artists get their names out there, maybe make some money, and just do a lot of creating and collaborating,” says Cachene.

The Sunday Art Market is having a fundraiser Friday, March 21. Held in the Cathedral Community Centre, there will be music, live painting, drinks, and of course, art for sale. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door.

[button style=”e.g. solid, border” size=”e.g. small, medium, big” link=”” target=””]Image: Gerald Saul[/button]