Artisans in the Grove is a group of local artists and crafters that came about from six women's conversations around a kitchen table, and subsequent interactions with members of the community highlighting the interest and need for an affordable, regularly-occurring market to display and sell their artisan goods and services. Our first market was in June 2011, representing only 10 vendors and since
then we have become affiliated with the City Club of Forest Grove, which oversees the operation of First Wednesdays and Holiday in the Grove events and now have represented over 60 different vendors in! Our Holiday Markets were a new idea we had to extend our market season past the summertime and November's was already a huge success with over 25 vendors! We expect December to be even better and are now toying with the idea of having a Spring Market in April or May before the summer market season kicks off again. Our primary objectives include:
1. Providing a low-cost opportunity for local artists (crafts, music, textiles, performers... you name it) to share their talents with the community. We hope to promote SALES of these items for smaller scale vendors (home crafters etc.), as well as established artists in our area. We also want to offer DEMONSTRATION space for businesses that offer classes and/or performance services in the arts.
2. Complimenting the mission of the Forest Grove Farmer's Market, which meets every Wednesday throughout the summer season. While the Farmer's Market must maintain strict guidelines for the participation of crafters/artists in order to comply with certification regulations, we strongly support their commitment to local growers and believe they do a beautiful job of promoting agriculture!
3. Promoting increased foot-traffic and business in the downtown area of Forest Grove, contributing to the economic vitality of our city.
