Catacombs Art Market digs up local talent

The show was a benefit for an artist who had brain surgery.

By Emily Willroth

Published April 27, 2010

Dozens of painted signs pointing patrons in the direction of "more art" scattered the basement gallery. Puddles of water dragged in from the thunderstorms outside littered the cement floors and a cool breeze blew in from overhead. Lugging umbrellas and pulling their sweaters in closer, customers meandered through the winding basement hallways, following the arrows to booths offering everything from baby bibs and mother-daughter apron sets to homemade crafts from FyreFae Productions, a local burlesque cabaret troupe.

With more than 30 artists from across the state and live music all weekend long, Artlandish Gallery's third Catacombs Art Market drew a crowd.

"Even if you don't make many sales, there's a lot of opportunity for networking and getting your stuff seen," FyreFae productions artist Karina Koji said. "That's half the point of these things."

For one booth, the market meant more than the opportunity to network. Featuring an assortment of items from various local artists, a large booth at the bottom of the stairs stood as a benefit for artist Josie Sullivan, who had brain surgery, resulting in piles of medical bills. The booth offered art and crafts from about a dozen artists, including Sullivan.

"The booth was put together by all of her friends," booth attendant Lea Lichty said. "I think it's been a success. People are willing to give even more than we're asking for when they see that it's for a good cause."

Rockbridge High School student Isabel Accurso attended the market for the third time with her mom and plans to return for future markets.

"I absolutely love it, and I think it's great that all these artists can show off their work," Accurso said. "And this basement creates a great atmosphere, it makes it pleasant to come down here and look around.

The idea for the art market originated from an open-air market Artlandish Gallery owner Lisa Bartlett and Sven's Kafé and Gallery manager Kate Gunn collaborated on in October 2009. The chilly autumn weather led the duo to consider indoor options for future markets, and in December, Bartlett held the first Catacombs Art Market in the Artlandish Gallery basement.

"We're a venue where people who might not necessarily get to sell and show their work get to show up and do that," Bartlett said. "There are a limited number of galleries in town, so for, say, a potter to be able to set up all of their work is a really great thing."

The first market in December 2009 was so successful, artists asked Bartlett to hold one monthly. Although monthly was not plausible for Bartlett, she obliged to the artists' requests and held another market in January and began planning for the April market.

"There's a great artist community in this area and this is a chance for us to interact with each other," Bartlett said. "We have one student who sets up every time, and he really likes it because it gives him the opportunity to get feedback and learn from more mature artists."

The fourth Catacombs Art Market will be July 23 and July 24 at Artlandish Gallery.