Montavilla hosts Evening Art Market

It’s an offshoot of the business district’s ‘First Fridays’; see what took place as the sun went down …

Guests visit the first-ever Montavilla First Friday Evening Art Market, held in their outer East Portland business district.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

For a couple of years now, the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) has sponsored a “First Friday” evening event in their outer East Portland business district.

To give their “First Friday” events more zing, volunteers tried out hosting a First Friday Evening Art Market on August 5, in the lot used by the Montavilla Farmers Market.

First Friday Evening Art co-organizers Sarah Mathis and Brooke Brandsmith say they hope the idea takes off in Montavilla, as already have the farmers market and Street Fair.

“This is an experiment; and we’ll do it again if works out well,” remarked METBA volunteer and market co-organizer Sarah Mathis from Arden Beauty Skin Care.

That evening, the event was host to 18 artist/vendors.

Artist Cory Wicks, who works in pen and ink and digital collage, is holding a work he calls “TARDIS in a bottle” – something that needs no explanation to Dr. Who fans.

“One of the reasons for doing this is that it gives our First Friday a sense of place,” Mathis said. “And, it’s giving our artists a place for people to meet them in a more casual environment, instead of crowding the streets and sidewalks.”

While there wasn’t a big crowd milling among the exhibits, a steady stream visitors spent time with many of the artists as the evening went on.

Montavilla local Reyna Kohl shows natural fragrances and skin care products she offers through her company, Botica.

“From here, we will look and see what the feedback is from the neighborhood, the businesses, and the vendors,” Mathis told East Portland News. “Hopefully we can figure out a strategy to make this grow in the future.”

Keep up on what’s happening in Montavilla by checking the official METBA website: CLICK HERE.

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