Handmade Arcade will feature 33 emerging artists, craftspeople, and makers at its fourth annual Spring Market on Saturday, April 29. Attendees will explore inventive home decor, bold artwork, all-natural perfumes, and handcrafted accessories, and experience live pottery-making demonstrations by Union Project. This free market takes place at Construction Junction in Pittsburgh’s East End from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Handmade Arcade, the region's largest maker-supporting nonprofit, creates opportunities for independent artists to build professional skills and connect with the making community as they establish themselves. The Spring Market provides a platform for new makers to expand their business and gain practical market experience in a supportive community environment. In addition to a spot at the Spring Market, accepted makers receive hands-on mentorship to prepare them for the market setting.
Youth Makers Left to Right: Anna of Carefree Critters, Tyerin of Crows Nest, Noa of Deseesed
2022 Holiday Market, Photo Credit Kitoko Chargois
For the first time, Handmade Arcade will welcome a youth maker cohort to the Spring Market. Three participants from the nonprofit’s 2022 Youth Maker Accelerator program, which supported young makers as they prepared for the Holiday Market, will join the Spring Market free of charge and continue to hone their craft. The cohort includes Carefree Critters by sisters Anna and Gia, Crows Nest by crochet artists Tyerin, and Deseesed by budding fashion designer and illustrator Noa.
Handmade Arcade is also excited to debut the first Spring Market virtual catalog on Saturday, April 22, an online shopper’s guide to help attendees plan their browsing or connect with makers after the event. The organization has incorporated this virtual resource into the Holiday Market for the past two years.
“The Spring Market is a professional development opportunity dressed as a neighborhood block party,” says Tricia Brancolini-Foley, Executive Director. “It features all of the elements people expect from a Handmade Arcade event, like artist demonstrations, make-and-take activities, and the inspiring diversity of our creative community, and it also operates as a springboard for new and emerging makers to get their feet wet.”
Union Project's Wheel Mobile from 2022 Holiday Market, Photo Credit Kitoko Chargois
Food, Drink, and Artmaking
Attendees at the Spring Market will browse high-quality, handcrafted products, meet new makers, and celebrate the changing season with live artist demonstrations and tasty fare from local food trucks.
Union Project’s Wheel Mobile, a fully equipped traveling ceramics studio, will be on-site. Expert teaching artists will demonstrate hand-building techniques, wheel throwing, and Raku firing. Studio Make will also be on-site with a free make-and-take activity. Delicious Greek food will be provided by Hermes Food Truck, and manduhandu will offer flavorful Korean dishes. Pittsburgh Mobile Drink Bars will offer a selection of craft mocktails and beverages to round out the provisions.
This event is free and does not require registration. The market will follow the COVID-19 safety measures of Construction Junction.