As the temperature begins to drop, the Moscow Winter Market comes to life, filling the 1912 Center with diverse people and goods from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on various Saturdays from November to March.
The winter market, put on by Heart of the Arts, Inc. (HAI), is a way to connect the community using arts and artist vendors, said Jenny Kostroff, executive director of the 1912 Center. Kostroff said the winter market began in fall of 2003 when HAI, the current owner of the 1912 Center, would rent out the building each Saturday.
“The idea was to continue the farmers’ market concept into the winter,” Kostroff said.
Kostroff said there are 89 registered vendors for a total of six markets this year — an increase from the roughly 30 vendors who attended when the market first began. Kostroff said the market has come a long way and evolved over the years.
File Photo by Diamond Koloski | Argonaut
Local businesses showcase their products to Moscow residents at the Winter last year in the 1912 Center.
“Every year our numbers get larger and larger,” she said.
Goods sold at the market range from hand-woven scarves to apples, bread and everything in between, Kostroff said. She said although most vendors do not attend every market, shoppers can always find the basics, like soap and lotion, bread and cheese, apples, honey and jewelry. Kostroff said a lunch vendor is also at every market.
However, each market offers something new and different, Kostroff said.
“It’s worth it to come to every market,” she said. “You can have fun shopping for the things you need, and you might find something that’s great for Aunt Jane.”
During the Nov. 11 market, mixed with market regulars like Tonnemakers and Love’s Kombucha, Bobbi Kelly sold her watercolor prints.
Kelly said most of her original watercolor paintings are displayed at Moscow’s State Farm, but she sells at least 30 different prints at the winter market. She said she enjoys that watercolors don’t take a long time to make, so some of her paintings only take a couple hours. Kelly said she also enjoys how different watercolor is compared to other forms of painting.
“It’s not a super lengthy process,” she said. “It’s very free. You can suggest things instead of spelling them out.”
Kelly said she has been coming to the winter market for three years — once in November and once in December. She said she comes to the market because she likes the setting, the social aspect of the event and the good food.
“It’s a really nice venue, and I always need money before Christmas,” she said.
She said she began making Christmas cards because she couldn’t find any she liked, so she decided to paint her own. Kelly said she makes a new Christmas card watercolor each year.
The winter market will continue this season on Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Feb. 3 and Mar. 3. Kelly will return to the market with her prints Dec. 9.
Kostroff said the vendors are creative people who work well with each other and said she enjoys connecting with them.
“We start with empty tables, and they make it a market,” she said.
Jordan Willson can be reached at [email protected]