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Artisans’ Marketplace turns 26

Stephanie Webber Abington Journal Intern

WAVERLY— Numerous craft vendors, Hearth Booth, Grandma’s Kitchen, Holiday House Tour. Those and more are on the schedule for The Annual Artisans Marketplace as it marks its 26th year at the Waverly Community House, 1115 N., Abington Road this November. Those in attendance will get the chance to a versatile collection the artisans have to offer.

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Seated, from left: Maria Wilson, Executive Director, Waverly Community House; Kathy Nelson, Event Chairperson; Marge Black, Publicity Standing: Lisa Wahl, Advertising; Ann Rich Grandmas Kitchen; and Mary Price, Luncheon Chairperson.

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The Artisans’ Marketplace first opened its craftsmanship doors to the public in December 1984. Twenty-six vendors were present at the time, with a spinning group being a main feature. Vendors included crafts such as pottery, jewelry, stained glass and woodworking. These types of vendors continue to be represented at the Marketplace to this day.

Volunteers of the Waverly Community House, or the Comm, rely on a mission that it has held on to for the past 26 years. The Artisans’ Marketplace was first established with the intention to bring diversity to families and children within the area. Event chairperson and Waverly resident Kathy Nelson said that it’s a great time to “be able to communicate art to people of all ages. This has become a key element for the market.” Some vendors continue to be a highlight for the jam-packed weekend. According to Nelson, The Hearth Booth and Grandma’s Kitchen are most notable to the community. Every year, the Comm hosts the Hearth Booth in the lobby in front of the fireplace. A specific committee comes together throughout the year to make homemade items to sell during the weekend in November. Grandma’s Kitchen is a tradition as well. Nelson said that Waverly bark is usually popular with the crowd. Waverly bark is an edible chocolate and nut bark made every year.

The Holiday House Tour was added to the Marketplace about 10 years ago. “Local decorators and businesses help to decorate nearby houses for the holidays and it’s really beautiful,” Nelson said. “The houses aren’t too far from the Comm and this year we have about three to four to show.” The residents of the specific homes volunteer their homes for the day to support the Comm. The homes are open only on Sunday and are used as great visuals to help with ideas on how to decorate one’s own individual sanctuary for the holiday season.

The most prevalent difference if any to this year’s Marketplace could be the outlook on the economy. “People are definitely more careful with their money these days but I think it’s a great place to Christmas shop,” said Nelson. “You know that when you come here the items will be of high quality and interesting. The whole spirit of the show is a great place to shop and it gets you in the mood for Christmas, being the weekend before Thanksgiving.”

From starting with 26 vendors in 1984 to having more than 35 in 2009, the Artisans’ Marketplace has come a long way. With the consistency of displaying both the traditional and new vendors each year, the Comm brings in big crowds for its largest event of the year. Nelson estimated that last year the Marketplace hosted 1,500 faces throughout the weekend. This year, members of Waverly hope to continue with this number or to even exceed it.

This year’s Marketplace will be Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Holiday House Tour will be featured on Sunday. Admission is $5 at the door and the House Tour is $20. Tickets for the tour are available in advance starting Nov. 3 at the Comm office. All proceeds from the weekend will benefit the Waverly Community House. For more info, call 570.586.8191, ext. 2.

A look back

In 1984, 26 vendors participated in the Artisan Marketplace. “We felt that we had so many talented artists located within our region that to be able to showcase their work made great sense,” said original chairperson Mary Lynn Morgan. “To be able to communicate the importance of the arts along with fostering a sense of community to people of all ages became a key element to this event. Comm volunteers felt strongly about creating an event which encompassed something for everyone, hence the idea for the Marketplace,” said Mary Ann LaPorta, original co-chair.