Member Article

The Sunderland Makers Market is set to return on March 22

The Sunderland Makers Market is set to return on March 22, providing an increasing number of creatives and makers from across the city the opportunity to exhibit and sell their goods.

Following a series of successful markets last year, their forthcoming event will be held in Creative Cohesion’s Studios, in the heart of Sunniside.

Having established a reputation for exhibiting the work of Sunderland’s best makers and creatives, the market has begun to attract a host of new traders from across the city.

Amongst the new faces at February’s Makers Market, which was held in Creative Cohesion’s Sunniside Studios on February 22, was print maker Joyce McCallum of Hendon.

Having recently moved into her Creative Cohesion studio, Joyce decided to take part in the markets as she felt they would enable her to display her previously unseen work, whilst also allowing her to engage with other makers working within Sunderland.

Joyce said: “As an artist, Makers Markets are really valuable to me. They not only provide artists like myself with a platform to showcase our work but they also provide the opportunity to stand up and be noticed. It’s also a great way of offering people in Sunderland the chance to come and buy something different, something that’s unique and locally sourced.

“I also think it’s fantastic that the Council’s Business and Investment Team are facilitating the markets and supporting the makers. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to get a stall myself, and I know that there are many others in the same position. All the preparation and planning work is also taken away and that’s the side that a lot of the traders don’t have the skills or the time to do.”

Clare Hopper of Seaham is another one of the market’s new traders with her jewellery brand butterfLypie. Specialising in jewellery and accessories made from toys, stickers and resin, Claire discovered the Makers Market after receiving a promotional email.

Clare said: “My first experience of the Makers Market was really positive, I think they are a great way of exposing people to art and of course, they are a fantastic way for the actual makers to be seen.

“I’ll definitely come back to the market again – I’m looking forward to the outdoor market in the summer.”

The Sunderland Makers Markets not only provide people with the opportunity to showcase their talents but also give them the chance to both nurture and develop their skills in a supportive environment.

Lesley Cooperwaite, co-ordinator of the Makers Markets, said: “For us, it’s just great to see the Makers Markets attracting new traders, but at the same time retaining all of our regular stall holders who continue to be an integral part of every Makers Market.

“The Makers Markets are so important for the city as they are a great way of finding out about what other people are actually achieving and what’s happening in the Sunderland area as a creative venue – giving the creative sector the recognition they work hard for and deserve.”

As the Sunderland Makers Market continues to attract new faces, this is an event, which is set to continue to contribute and help towards placing Sunderland on the map as a hub of creative activity.

The March Makers Market will be held in Creative Cohesion’s Sunniside Studios, Sunniside on March 22 from 10am until 4pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marie Donnelly .