Downtown Concord is full of life during the summertime, and you can count on the annual Concord Arts Market to bring a creative flair to the hustle and bustle.
Back for its 12th consecutive year on Saturday, the Arts Market was founded in 2008 by Katy Brown Solsky as the first event of its kind in New Hampshire. Solsky hoped that a juried artisan and fine-art market would “give artists and artisans an opportunity to connect with the greater community” and “integrate makers more visibly into the fabric of daily life,” all while allowing vendors to profit from their creations, according to the market’s website.
Jewelry artisan Kitty Stoykovich took over production of the event from Solsky in 2016, stepping down after the 2018 season. Stoykovich was succeeded by Christa Zuber, owner of The Place Studio & Gallery in the Concord Community Arts Center, who will oversee the market for the first time this summer.
Located in Bicentennial Square, the market will run Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through September. Admission is free.
As for what visitors can look forward to, Zuber shared via email that “each week we will have a different rotation of vendors from varying mediums, including jewelry, photography, soaps and lotions, paintings, fiber art and apparel, printmaking, glass, pottery, woodwork and more.”
The market benefits from the increased traffic on Main Street during the summer months, as patrons wander between cafes, shops and the farmers market, which also takes place on Saturdays.
Zuber became involved with planning the event due to her familiarity with both how the market operates and the downtown business scene.
“I’ve been a vendor with CAM for the last three years and I understand the importance of the market to the community, both for visitors to the market as well as for artists and local businesses,” she shared. “I know many of the local business owners, artists and community members. I think that personal connection really helps.”
The past few months of preparation have been “full of spreadsheets, logistics and meetings,” Zuber wrote. She has been hard at work since January, learning the ropes from Stoykovich, vetting vendor applications and working with the Intown Concord Market Days committee.
Many community favorites from past events are returning to showcase their wares, including the Cap City Soap Co., On the Cusp Pottery and Cedar Porch Designs. Newcomers include Rogue Pottery, Ciutecreations and Busy as a BB, among others.
Zuber will continue to participate as a vendor herself, and this year, she is planning to bring the DIY spirit of The Place to her booth through weekly activities like tote bag painting. Otherwise, she noted that “everything should be the same” as past years.
“There are so many great artists and artisans that will be a part of the market this year, I can’t name them all – you’ll have to come down to see us! It’s going to be great!” she said.