We had an action packed first day at the Makers Market. The morning started quietly enough with Jim Robinson sitting out front on one of our pallet Adirondack chairs. Little did he or any of us know what we had coming our way.
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| Setting up in the early morning. Credit: DDM. |
We set up shop inside the former T.H. Campbell & Bros. building at 2008 Cumberland Ave. At first it was slow so we got to chat with our featured Maker Jim Robinson a bit. Jim is a native of New Hampshire who spent time in Oregon before coming to Cincinnati where he works for the Rookwood Pottery Company now. He is a high energy guy with a true passion for art. We could not pick someone better to kick-off our market. Things were a bit slow at first though Jim took it in stride.
In the morning we made a few calls to some friends to help get the word out, and, sure enough, folks started showing up. A special thank you to Brian O'Brien with The Big One. We always can count on him for a shout out.
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| Sidewalk comes to life with our new sign. Credit: DDM. |
Vicki, Charlene, and Donna all visited in the morning to make sure things were in good order. They did the lettering on the sign out front. The butterfly balloons they brought were very cool.
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| The finished Rookwood display. Doesn't it look nice? Credit: DDM. |
Things really started to liven up when Ed and Tom showed up. They painted some arrows on the sidewalk to help folks find the market. And Ed filmed a video that is sure to go viral called "Come to the Makers Market."
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| DDM President Jay Shoffner proudly standing out in front of the Market. Credit: DDM. |
Jay Shoffner, DDM's President showed up in the afternoon too. He enjoyed seeing the transformation of this vacant storefront in to an active space and promised to bring back his wife Kelly. And, of course, Jay would want us to remind you that it is easy to support Discover Downtown Middlesboro here. Anyone who makes a contribution automatically becomes a member. That gets you invitations to our events, updates on what is happening in town, and an opportunity to serve on one of our four volunteer committees.
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| Jesse and the Jam Session. Credit: DDM. |
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| Jim Robinson sharing his Rookwood wares with Jay. Credit: DDM. |
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| Donna and Sierra enjoying a chat out front. And, yes, at the Makers Market "We only drink, Diet Coke." Credit: DDM |
Jill West, proprietor of the Cumberland Manor Bed & Breakfast dropped by to say hello. As did James Madison of the Bell County Historical Society. Mr. Russell Clark came all the way from Mammoth Cave National Park. He's helping us with design of a trail system connecting Middlesborough with the National Park.
Winner of the farthest distance travel award has to go to Channyn who drove all the way from Chicago. She's from Middlesborough and still has family here. We had a good chance to catch up. Among her many talents are graphic design. She's also an organizational whiz. With little direction she set up our Rookwood Pottery Company display. And, yes, we are now an official retailer for Rookwood - right here in Middlesborough, Kentucky.
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| Saying thank you and good bye to Jim Robinson. Left to right: Kristy, Jim, Donna, Isaac. Credit: Kristy Bay. |
Just as we were closing we were thrilled to get a call from Angela Sparkman @AngelaSparkman with WYMT. She was kind enough to drop by the Market to film a piece that closed out the evening newscast that night. Angela's a pro and we always enjoy working with her. Board Member Kristy Bay dropped by around that time too and we were able to get a picture together before closing shop for the day.
The post would not be complete without thanking our partners including the Appalachian Regional Commission. A Flex-E-Grant from them and administered by the Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College made the Makers Market possible. Thanks so much for everyone who showed up!
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| Sierra finishing off the window painting. Credit: DDM. |
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| Mountain Echo bio in the window. Credit: DDM. |
Our Next Act - Mountain Echo
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Sets at noon and 2pm
Market will be open with arts and crafts on display and available for sale.
Craig Sowby and Ken Wilson
Singers
Craig Sowby grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Utah. He is a classically trained violinist from the age of 4, and started playing drums and percussion at the age of 15. Craig handles fiddle and percussion duties, as well as harmony vocals, with an occasional ukelele. Ken Wilson was born and raised in Middlesboro, KY, but now lives in Harrogate, TN. He is a school teacher by trade, but has played music since age 18. Ken handles the guitar duties and sings most of the lead vocals for the duo. Ken and Craig have been influenced by many different styles of music down through the years, but when they get together to play and sing, the music has a quality and spirit all it's own. The name "Mountain Echo" comes from them both being raised in the mountains, although at opposite ends of the country, and defining a distinctive mountain sound.
Next up:
April 18 Jackie Dunaway, crafter
April 19 Candida Fuson Sullivan, author, children's books
April 25 Steve Obermann, stained glass
April 26 Jade Robertson, musician
May 2 Steve McCarty, wood working and glass
May 3 Harold Jerrell, Photographer
May 9 Better Block Middlesborough: Bill Lutz, Community Development Director, Piqua, Ohio
May 10 Better Block Middlesborough: Della Rucker, Wise Economy Workshop, Cincinnati, Ohio
May 16 Lorraine England, children's clothing
Makers wishing to have their work on display and available for sale may sign up here:
Care to make a donation to help support the Makers Market? Please do so here:
http://power2give.org/kentucky/Project/Detail?projectId=2890
This project is funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission Flex-E-Grant through the Kentucky Department for Local Government and administered by the Brushy Fork Institute of Berea College. Flex-E-Grant funds are made available to distressed ARC counties in Kentucky for projects that are designed to build capacity in these communities.
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