By Annabelle Blair
Guests will have an opportunity to support local artists, craftspeople, bakers, and performers at the Pop Up Shop Artist market in St. Albans—open for business three different weekends before Christmas.
Market dates are Saturday, Nov. 25, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 26, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 23 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
It will be located at Innovations In Creative Arts, at 198-20 Linden Blvd.
Adrienne Whaley, executive director of Innovations in Creative Arts, said the studio and pop-up shop is located in a historically creative neighborhood, which she hopes to continue building through supporting local talent.
“Part of the mission (of Innovations) is to become a home for local artists, of which there are many in the southeast Queens area,” she said.
The market will feature unique and hand-crafted items such as jewelry, T-shirts, candles, soap, clothing, accessories, books, framed spoken word poetry, baked goods, gourmet food and paintings. “It gives the public a chance to talk to artists directly and to purchase signed copy,” Whaley said.
Hector Cruz, a tutor in 3-D computer modeling and graphics is one of the artists who will participate in the pop-up shop. “I want to draw more awareness and attention—so others are not intimidated and don’t feel left out by not participating in such a project (computer graphics),” he said.
Althea Shuler, a cake artist who produces sculpted and baked cakes, will also be peddling her wares. She operates a home-based business and uses a commercial kitchen to perfect her products.
“I’ll be bringing new desserts and different flavors and my tried-and-true bestsellers,” Shuler said. Her selection of goodes to sell includes Jack Daniels and sweet potato bundt cakes and pink champagne cupcakes.
