Next Market: March 8,9,10!

March dates and hours go like this:

March 8th Thursday 12 -6

March 9th Friday  12-6

March 19th Saturday 10-6  

And guess what? Lots of our cool new neighbors will be open too! Art Crawl attenders got sneak peeks of some wonderful shops that have moved to Banbury. Here's your next chance to see all that's new in Building 13. The Market's goal from day one has been to partner with artists and locally owned businesses in order to provide a monthly "Farmer's Market" for art, creativity, and other delights. And it's happening! Here are just a couple of the new places to check out when you come to The Market...


The Better Life Cafe at the top of the stairs is cozy, intimate, friendly and fun. AND, their food and drink is fresh, delicious, and irresistable - I'm looking at you, cannoli...

Sandy's Studio Sandy (of Sandy's Attic fame) has a wonderful studio in Suite #121 open on Fridays from 12 - 6. Expect to see fashion forward Spring apparel as well as art, gifts, and accessories.

Art Lovers, Your Mothership Is Arriving...

Banbury Building 13 will be all abuzz and exciting at the

 Banbury Art Crawl 

February 3rd and 4th this Friday and Saturday! 

Hours are Friday 3pm - 9pm

Saturday 9am - 3pm

This is the event that got me (Susan) into Building 13 for the first time and I've never looked back. Years ago, the crawl was the brainchild of Eau Claire's own stained glass artist and Fairy Godmother of the Arts Laurie Bieze.  The atmosphere during the Art Crawl is cheerful, welcoming and completely inspiring! Every visitor is granted instant insider status as studio doors open wide to each attender. The glass, painting, sculpture, oh my goodness it's like a mini renaissance of the soul on every floor. Honestly, there's nothing like walking down a hallway discovering an open studio door and catching a glimpse of the colors, shapes, and treasures waiting within. Yes, lots of artwork will be for sale but even if you're feeling poor as a church mouse, you will leave feeling full and fed and dazzled by creativity. Of course, The Market will be open! Come say "Hi" to Susan and Lisa and see what's new (hint: there is a lot). The Banbury Art Crawl is a kid friendly event (just keep your eye on them if you stop in for the free wine tasting at Infinity Beverages) and Susan is working on a free gift for the first 50 kids who stop by The Market! The Banbury Art Crawl has an amazingly informative website you can access at http://www.banburyartcrawl.com/  See you there! xo Susan

Next Market: November 17, 18, 19

Look for this ad in the Nov. 10th issue of Volume One!

Next Market: THIS WEEK! October 13, 14, 15

It's Market week at Banbury! The Market's  Harvest and Halloween  will be held this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday so grab a friend or two and visit Suite 203 which will be stuffed full of seasonal delights! New jewelry, accessories, and of course Justine and Lisa's stylish finds for house and home. A couple of new tenants are moving into Banbury Building 13 and they have decided to be open during Market days. I'll let you know more details as soon as things are confirmed; I can let you know they are artsy and fun! Of course, our neighbor, Infinity Beverages, will be offering tastings of their delicious, locally made Round Corner Wine.

I have had to cut myself off from making these scarves - they are addicting to make and SO fun to wear. Here's one of which my son said, "This one looks like a birthday party." Designing it, I was going for feminine, frothy and fun but not too sweet. Mission accomplished! I really want to have a birthday party now. Does anyone have a glass milk bottle for that clothespin game?


Hours of Monthly Market:

Thursday Oct. 13  12 noon - 8pm
Friday Oct 14  11am - 7pm
Saturday October 15 10am - 4pm

Body or Soul? Can We Value Both?

Recently, a local philanthropic organization made a very generous gift of a gorgeous illuminated Bible text to our community. This art will be displayed in turn at two (competing) area hospitals. This idea itself, the idea of sharing the sacred text, is inspired and has already brought out a sense of unity between the two facilities. Of course, there are some murmurings. The most concise opposition to be found in a well written letter to our local paper. You can read it here. I wrote a response to him and it follows below. I sent it in to the newspaper but who knows if it will be printed. With me in possession of the password to this blog, I know it will be published! I'd be interested to know your thoughts so feel free to comment away. 

I strenuously disagree with the comments made by Mr. Maierhofer regarding how monies spent on art should be going to the "poor." I'm going to assume that at the time of writing his letter, he was unaware that the bible was ostensibly a gift from private individuals whom already donate sacrificially to The Free Clinic and other local philanthropic causes. I hope this fact alone softens his negative attitude. Secondly, I respectfully ask that the writer would recall an experience in his own life where he was inspired by art. Like it or not, man is a spiritual being with a soul that seeks care and feeding. That's why humans are attracted to music, learning, nature, even Netflix. Should all these "extras" be banished from our lives until every physical need of our fellow man is met? Absolutely not! Art ennobles the soul. Great art causes the soul to look beyond its own chaotic, selfish concerns to focus instead on timeless truths, beauty, the human condition. Art reveals truth, and art almost always requires a response. Without art, the inspiration to give and contribute to causes greater than ourselves would disappear. Then we would experience true poverty.

 

Learn more about the St. John's Heritage Bible here.

Yikes! Next Market: October 13, 14, 15

Scout and Skander are ready....are you?

Thursday October 13th  12 - 8pm

Friday October 14th  11am - 7pm

Saturday, October 15th  10am - 4pm

A brisk snap in the air signals autumn's arrival. We're already getting ready for the next market, "Harvest & Halloween!" Sneak peek photos coming soon.

In the meantime, here's a creative exercise to hone those mad cat drawing skillz. This graphic looks like a worksheet a substitute teacher might mimeograph and give to the class at the end of an cool, sunny October afternoon. 

After getting the call that Mrs. Spahr's 4th grade class needed some one just for the day, the 68 year old sub dug around in her files looking for something fun; a treat for the children. She knew she wasn't a favorite. Her teaching style skewed more authoritarian than Magic School Bus. And yet. It seemed important to her that she not arrive completely empty handed. She wanted to bring something of herself - something the children might enjoy.Something that left them with the impression that she wasn't all schedule and discipline.Ahh...here it is. Under "A" for Animal. She initially searched the "H" file. For "Holiday". Sub file "Hallowe'en." She would hand it out 15 minutes before dismissal and the children would run home through papery leaf filled gutters, eager to show their mothers a perfectly drawn cat. It would be a good day.

Next Market: September 9, 10, 11 !

Volume One Love

Volume One's Current Issue

Volume One is Eau Claire's wonderfully readable and informative arts and entertainment magazine. It has become an indispensable resource for thousands of Chippewa Valley residents because of the helpful info in the events calendar. It compiles almost every happening in the region and organizes it into calendar form.This means, if you have a copy of Volume One handy, or even if you have their website bookmarked, you can pick a date, turn to that day's page and see what's happening 'round these here parts. From art exhibits to concerts to community events to important civic meetings, it's all there. But, Volume One also has great articles, regular columnists and impressive local visual art on the cover of every single issue. Not to get all anthropomorphize-y or anything, but I think of Volume One as part hip little brother (with an 80G iPod full of amazing music), part Eau Claire cheerleader, and part Paris Review. Oh, and there's definitely a crunchy candy shell that asks earnest questions of how we can make life here better. I love that.

Last Saturday at The Market, an intrepid Volume One reporter braved the heat and checked us out. Look for the article in the next issue, coming out this week - it's FREE at area grocery stores or many local businesses like Acoustic, Harmony Cafe and Erberts & Gerbert's. Our community is blessed to have this wonderful resource. Thanks, Volume One! xoxo