Arts, culture make up Eastern Market Festival
Lendora Washington/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 10/26/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment
A soulful jazz melody from James Palmore's saxophone drifted in the air several blocks of The Eastern Market Festival and Arts & Crafts Fair last month. Palmore, like most artists who participate in the weekly Saturday festival, has been coming off and on for several years to showcase his unique artistic talent.
"I'd play anywhere there are people that have an interest in what I'm doing," said Palmore. "I play whatever pops into my head."
This Saturday, his melody of choice, "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me," slowed the walking pace of many patrons, as they stopped to drop money in his instrument case. Many stood and watched for a few moments and then went to explore other booths stocked with an array of items lining the 7th St., SE.
"I come here with my children every weekend," said John McIntire, resident of the Potomac Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C., after stopping to listen to a selection from Palmore. "I want them to be exposed to the beauty of art."
Began in 1978, The Eastern Market Festival and Arts & Crafts Fair features painters, potters, jewelers, silversmiths, musicians, clothing designers, and street performers. The festival provides a place for those not typically exhibited in commercial galleries, an opportunity to showcase their work.
Valerie H. Breedlove, director of the Great Zimbabwe Inc, has been using the festival to showcase original painted textile artworks from Zimbabwe for five years.
"My husband and I go to Zimbabwe twice a year for six weeks to work with the artists," Breedlove. "Then, we bring back the artists' work for retail. The artists receive upfront profits."
Between sales from the festival and the sales from the Union Station kiosk, Great Zimbabwe Inc makes more than $75,000 a year. The textiles are made by three different cooperatives: women and children that lost their husbands/fathers to HIV, farmers, and a family.
The painted textiles, sold at prices ranging from $65-$150, are made from hand-picked cotton and hand-mixed paints. After being painted, they are washed, sun-dried, and baked in an oven.
Not far from Breedlove's booth is another that showcases original artwork. Mac Macintire and his wife, Rita sell photographs taken by themselves and a friend from Seattle out of their Greenleaf Photography booth. They've been present every Saturday for almost five years.
"We just do this on the side," said Macintire whose works sell for $35 to $50. "We only sell our photographs here." The couple use the booth to gain extra revenue, in addition to their full time a mortgage broker and administrative assistant.
"I'd play anywhere there are people that have an interest in what I'm doing," said Palmore. "I play whatever pops into my head."
This Saturday, his melody of choice, "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me," slowed the walking pace of many patrons, as they stopped to drop money in his instrument case. Many stood and watched for a few moments and then went to explore other booths stocked with an array of items lining the 7th St., SE.
"I come here with my children every weekend," said John McIntire, resident of the Potomac Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C., after stopping to listen to a selection from Palmore. "I want them to be exposed to the beauty of art."
Began in 1978, The Eastern Market Festival and Arts & Crafts Fair features painters, potters, jewelers, silversmiths, musicians, clothing designers, and street performers. The festival provides a place for those not typically exhibited in commercial galleries, an opportunity to showcase their work.
Valerie H. Breedlove, director of the Great Zimbabwe Inc, has been using the festival to showcase original painted textile artworks from Zimbabwe for five years.
"My husband and I go to Zimbabwe twice a year for six weeks to work with the artists," Breedlove. "Then, we bring back the artists' work for retail. The artists receive upfront profits."
Between sales from the festival and the sales from the Union Station kiosk, Great Zimbabwe Inc makes more than $75,000 a year. The textiles are made by three different cooperatives: women and children that lost their husbands/fathers to HIV, farmers, and a family.
The painted textiles, sold at prices ranging from $65-$150, are made from hand-picked cotton and hand-mixed paints. After being painted, they are washed, sun-dried, and baked in an oven.
Not far from Breedlove's booth is another that showcases original artwork. Mac Macintire and his wife, Rita sell photographs taken by themselves and a friend from Seattle out of their Greenleaf Photography booth. They've been present every Saturday for almost five years.
"We just do this on the side," said Macintire whose works sell for $35 to $50. "We only sell our photographs here." The couple use the booth to gain extra revenue, in addition to their full time a mortgage broker and administrative assistant.
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