The Downtown Art Market

The February Downtown Art Market

2012-02-08T11:26:00.001-06:00

Here it is February of 2012 and the year's first market. Chances are it will be brisk in the morning so everyone, artists, growers and our fans please dress warm.
2011 was a "long strange trip" to quote the Grateful Dead-it will be viewed as a pivotal year in the evolution of the Downtown Art Market in Lubbock. It was our third year and as we roll into year 4, we have to look at some basic changes.
The growers among us had a dismal year. The DAM really missed having the beautiful flowers, plants, and produce that make us so popular. That was very unfortunate but no one could have foreseen the weather. The weather was another factor in 2011, the heat was unbearable on market days and we moved as many vendors as possible indoors-that lost us our street presence, one of the key ingredients in the DAM. We did 3 events with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal at the Civic Center-wonderful events. All the DAM folks that I talked to loved being inside, I did too, but it led to some confusion with some vendors and customers missing the markets. On that subject, in March we will be having the DAM at 19th and Buddy Holly-we urge any vendor who liked the Civic Center to participate in the AJ's Bigger than Texas Garage Sale on that same day, attend both events!
Now we are looking at where we take the DAM now. The city has enacted a new street-use permit for folks who sell on city property-sidewalks-that will affect us. We have finished moving Tony's neon shop into the rear building with Lee so that space is gone. The big shop will not be used for growers any longer, we are simply too busy to set it up every month. That will leave the gallery and the garden only, that drastically reduces our space and therefore the number of vendors. We need to look at options on the best way to proceed forward. Do we limit the number of types of art and crafts-2 painters, 2 jewelery, for example. Do we change the day to maybe First Friday and do the First Friday Art Market? The folks who set up on that day all enjoy it. We have always tried to be fair and equitable with all involved so we find ourselves in a quandary. We are working on our next steps. I'd also encourage everyone to submit their opinion on this blog. Leave a comment1

Don't forget this Saturday 9am to 3pm the 32nd monthly Downtown Art Market, artists, growers, and crafts people all at Tornado Gallery in beautiful downtown Lubbock, Texas.

The Evolving Downtown Art Market.

2011-12-01T15:39:00.002-06:00

Happy Holidays to all of you folks who will read this. I'd say Merry Christmas but its just not quite close enough to the 25th.
The December DAM s right around the corner on the 10th and this will mark some changes for the market. When we concieved the DAM it was an outdoor event, in the garden and along the sidewalks on Buddy Holly. As it progressed the ,Shop area became a part of it and so did the area by Sandstorm Glassworks. Folks, sorry but hat has changed. We have moved the neon shop into the rear and the shop area is now just that our workshop. This means that the DAM will take place in Tornado Gallery and in the garden, it goes back to an outdoor event. Yes, We realize that puts us at the mercy of the weather but it cannot be helped. Progress on the main front requires it. Call me to talk about this 441-8564 I'm always available...
January is the off month for the DAM so we'll see everyone on the 10th.

Fall Bazaar and Market Day

2011-11-07T09:17:00.000-06:00

One of the best things about the Downtown Art Market, is teaming up with the people and businesses that support us in bigger events. Our first was back in July-the Texas Sized Market Day, this Saturday is the second event-the Fall Bazaar and Market Day. Sponsored by the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, the Bazaar will take place from 9am to 3pm on the 12th. Everyone's favorite artists and growers will be present at the Civic Center exhibit hall. Inside, out of whatever weather will be headed our way the Bazaar will be the first of the holiday shopping events in Lubbock. Come down and shop through the over 120 booths featuring all styles of art, accessories, and just cool stuff. Woodwork, leather work, glass, ceramics all will be found this Saturday at the Civic Center.

Mark your calendars or set your phone scheduler for the Fall Bazaar and Market Day-Saturday the12th, 9 to 3 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Only $2 per person for all the fun and shopping you can have!

Texas Sized Market Day!

2011-07-07T16:11:00.002-05:00

This Saturday the 9th of July-the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, Tornado Gallery and the Downtown Art Market all join forces to bring Lubbock this huge event. Over 120 vendors will be showcasing their works on art, crafts, produce, plants and flowers as well as antiques, collectibles and other fun merchandise. Taking place in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center this will be a cool shopping experience. The Downtown Art Market vendors and Farmers Market folks will all be there. The GRUB Farm from the South Plains Food Bank begins it's season with us this Saturday. All in all this will be a cool community event.

9am to 3pm admission is $2 at the Civic Center...Saturday the 9th...

The Second Anniversary

2011-05-11T12:21:00.000-05:00

Two years, two years we've been doing our little market and it just keeps getting better. Artists, growers, neighbors and every one else continue to support us and we are all thankful for it. This Saturday, the 14th we're expecting 30+ vendors our usual killer crowd of people. The official local Farmers season hasn't quite kicked off, but there will be prepared foods, plants, herbs and Texas veggies from down state. Come on in and support your local artist or grower or both!.
We like to think that the DAM is economic stimulus at the base-you buy from the creator. Te artist or farmer-the person who's sweat, blood and creativity are reflected in every piece or plant. It does not get any more local than this. Come on downtown in Lubbock and see your neighbors, eat a little bit and celebrate Lubbock.

Springtime In Lubbock at the DAM

2011-03-10T14:37:00.003-06:00

March 2011-Springtime, almost, in Lubbock. What better way to get out of the winter doldrums than to come down to the market. We're all thawing out and hoping that the weather stays good for the 12th. Its still 2 days away and that's a lifetime in Texas weather.
We keep moving along, this July with the Lubbock A J we'll be in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center co-sponsoring the Texas Sized Garage Sale. Inside the Civic Center, how cool is this. It also means that everyone that can sell what ever they like. Aside from the arts and produce, vendors will be able to sell their art supplies, books, collectibles, you name it-legal of course-its a Texas Sized Garage Sale. Last year this event drew almost 2000 folks. Yes Sir Marketeers this will be fun.

See everyone on Saturday he 12th...
Larry

2011 The Year Ahead...

2011-01-13T15:28:00.002-06:00

We are heading into 2011, can you believe that. Seems just like it was 2010 a few days ago...
So whats going to be in store for the coming year, well that's what this will be about-where we're headed and why. We have been blessed with strong support from Artists, Growers and customers alike-Thank You one and all.

The DAM will continue on the second Saturday every month, except January-everyone deserves some time off. We strive to bring in the best local and regional arts and crafts, every month.The freshest in Texas produce and plants. We want the DAM to showcase the finest work, the tastiest foods, most beautiful flowers and plants,the best artisans working in the area. Y'all are the family, the creative family that is the Downtown Art Market, it is an event to be proud of.

More vendors and customers we all want that, and we'll get them. A more varied array of art, please tell the artists you know about us. That's how the word spreads, the buzz we create. Telling one more person about the market, adds another friend to everyone. The quality of what is sold at the DAM is always first rate, that is a fact that will distinguish us from other markets. The location is great, the people wonderful, and the experience is just that, an enjoyable experience. It is a family outing in Downtown Lubbock, the closest thing to community shopping in Lubbock.

The DAM is working with the neighborhood, to involve them more on those second Saturdays, have more places open in the Depot District and to let their customers know that we are here and open. Most of the business owners and employees come in to the Market, to browse and say "Hello" some of them are good customers for our vendors. That's support. We want that to grow.

I think that will do it...let me know what you think folks, we'll try and make it happen.

Larry Simmons

Just a reminder

2011-01-08T08:13:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year folks-remember the DAM is closed every January-we'll see you in February!

The Christms edition DAM

2010-12-07T11:37:00.000-06:00

The 20^th Downtown Art Market takes place this Saturday, December 11^th from 9am to 3pm. The Christmas edition of the market features local artists and local growers in a communal, supportive atmosphere. Centered around Tornado Gallery the DAM has become a monthly fixture for downtown Lubbock. While other markets have sprung up, the DAM proudly continues to offer the finest quality leather goods, woodwork, jewelery, metal work and glass art. A new addition to the Art Market is Sandstorm Glassworks, Resident artists Lee Ware and Bren Merritt will be giving Christmas ornament classes for browsers to enjoy. Their works- glass flowers, custom ornaments, fused and blown glass objects will also be for sale. We have over 30 vendors showing the finest in Christmas presents, all locally made. Support local artists and craftspeolpe by giving the gift of handmade art this Christmas.

The Downtown Art Market

1822 Buddy Holly

806-687-1644

806-441-8564

9am to 3pm

November Is Here!

2010-11-11T09:47:00.002-06:00

The November market is Saturday Folks, everybody dress warm, its going to be chilly. Time to start thinking about that perfect gift and what could be better than handmade, local art, Meet the artist, invest some time and thought into that present and support local folks at the same time-talk about a win-win situation. Need some delicious food for your table, prepared breads, salsas and so forth-they're all right here at the Downtown Art Market.

Enjoy browsing the vendors as you meet up with friends at one of Lubbock's newest and most enjoyable events. The second Saturday each month except January-9am - 3pm, don;'t miss it!

September was a blast!

2010-09-13T11:28:00.002-05:00

Another market come and gone...what a day-vendors everywhere, customers all over the place and everyone had a smile on. October brings harvest time gourds, pumpkins and winter veggies plus the best in local arts. "That" season is coming up fast, I won't say the word til after Halloween but if you're looking for perfect gifts-give the gift of local art. We'll have lots to choose from so mark your calendars and get ready for October 9th at the Downtown Art Market.
Adios-
Larry

September DAM-Coming up fast!

2010-08-30T16:04:00.002-05:00

The September Art Market is right around the corner, less than 2 weeks till we block the street again for downtown's only Market event. Local art and fresh produce and plants will be available on Saturday the 11th from 9am until 3pm. Family and child friendly. the Downtown Art Market is one of the new stars in the Lubbock Cultural District. We'll be roasting chilies, watching artists at work, browsing the best in fresh green thangs of all types and celebrating the community of folks that support the DAM.
Come on down people you'll have a great time...

The July market is here!

2010-07-07T09:52:00.002-05:00

This Saturday is the July edition of the DAM, hot fun in the Summertime folks! We're looking at 30+ Artists and Growers to show and sell their work to everyone who attends. After all this rain, get out of the house, bring the family and join us in what has become a shining spot in downtown Lubbock for over a year now. Meet your friends and celebrate what Lubbock has to offer. All varieties of art as well as locally grown produce and plants will be available. Help stimulate the economy on a real grassroots level and support the local folks-you'll feel good about it! Saturday he 10th from 9am to 3pm-its the 14th Downtown Art Market-it won't be the same without you!

Summer's Here!

2010-06-08T15:48:00.002-05:00

Its going to be hot this Saturday in downtown, and not just because its the Downtown Art Market! Don't let the heat keep you away, as its the kickoff to the Farmers Market season. From 9am to 3pm this Saturday the 12th of June we will feature 30+ Artists and Growers in a communal downtown setting, its great fun each month.

This month we are putting out a call for more Folks to join us in this endeavor so if you are an Artist-even if you don't admit it to anyone, this is your chance. Rent a space and show your work in a supportive setting that is rapidly becoming a Downtown Lubbock tradition. Our Artists, Crafts People and Growers are a wonderful family and very supportive of one another. If you want to see a grassroots project in action, come yo the DAM.

Support the local scene, see you on Saturday...
Larry Simmons

Breezy and Brisk...

2010-05-10T12:41:00.002-05:00

The one year anniversary was cool to say the least. First Friday rocked and introduced a whole new group of people to the DAM-College Students. They, as with everyone, were very happy to see this in Lubbock. The Saturday DAM was little breezy and chilly-much like the opening Market a year ago. Still a success though, the big room was filled with plants and flowers-the gallery, garden and sidewalks with art work of all varieties. Couldn't ask for more.
People give yourselves a pat on the back, we're keeping this thang going and moving forward-Look uFor The Summer!

Our 1st Anniversary Poster

2010-05-09T12:12:00.002-05:00

Artist : Randy Fisher
Prints available at Tornado Gallery

The First Anniversary!

2010-05-03T10:05:00.002-05:00

Wow Folks its been a year since we started this little experiment...365 days of fun and work. Lots of work for lots of people and all of it worthwhile. The DAM has become one of Downtown L-Town's social events, in addition to showcasing local Artists and providing a spot to pick up great local produce. All in one year -Thanks to Y'all. The support and outpouring of love from our friends and neighbors has just been overwhelming-too good to be true. This is what drives us. This month the DAM is a two day event, Friday the 7th during the First Friday Art Trail 6-9pm and in its usual time on Saturday the 8th from 9am-3pm. That's two chances to come down and see what the hub-bub is about!

Y'all come see us, ya' hear!

Larry Simmons

Our Birthday Party is Coming

2010-04-11T11:28:00.002-05:00

A couple scouts toasting marsh mellows. 4/10/10

The May Market will mark our 1st Ann. If you're a "DAM Marketeer" take note, Tornado Larry and I will be doing interviews of our vendors at the May DAM, and posting them here. So be thinking about your work, give us a little history about it, and just a bit about yourself. I hope all of you folks will let just do a few minutes with you so we can post them here.

So, on behalf of my friends "The Tornadoes" thanks Lubbock, this is the coolest thing I ever helped build.

April Is Here!

2010-04-06T12:49:00.002-05:00

This Saturday the 10th is the next DAM. Wow Folks this will be the 11th Market, and the first for 2010 in the Spring time. We all know that means wind here in the Hub but a trip to the Market is worth a little breeze. We're expecting at least 30 Artists and Growers this month and even more as the weather heats up.

Next month-May 7th and 8th will be Art Market events, the 7th will correspond with the First Friday Art Trail and all of our folks are invited to set up for that night. Then we will be there for the DAM the very next day. Come stroll the neighborhood for two days of Art and Produce treasures.

This Saturday 9am-3pm The Downtown Art Market is happening in the Depot District.

The March Market

2010-03-11T10:36:00.002-06:00

The March Downtown Art Market is here, Saturday morning. These in-between times seem to grow shorter every month. It looks like its going to be a chilly start but will warm up nicely. Y'all know how the weather is in Lubbock. Looks like we'll have 30+ Artists and Growers and the turn out is always good. There are some really cool places to see the DAM logo in town now and those really cool LED billboards are some of them. Thanks to the A-J for that one. Come join them at the DAM this month!

We'll be aiding the Lubbock Rape Crisis Center this month with publicity for the "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" fund raising event. Lots of fun and word has it that Larry will don the heels this year.

Community spirit Folks, that what drives the DAM, y'alls commitment as vendors and supporters alike, those are the blocks that we will continue to build on. We start our second year in a couple of months and want to bring it up another level-music needs to be added to the mix, artistic demonstrations, another cooking demo-the list is limitless. Anyone have any ideas-tell us. we listen. this is as much for our enjoyment as it is for anyone's...lets keep it up.

The Valentines Market

2010-02-08T09:01:00.002-06:00

Its Market time again, and this is a special one, its Valentines Day. Come on out and show your support for all the local Artists and Growers from right here in the Hubaplex. We'll have paintings, jewelry, leather goods and much more for that special person in your life. In addition Foxland growers will have hot house fresh-cut flowers to give also.Grown in Shallowater, you won't find fresher flowers anywhere. We will also have coffee and food to help keep you warm while you visit with your friends and neighbors. The Downtown Art Market, a bright spot in beautiful downtown Lubbock. Come join in the fun!
Thanks All-
Larry Simmons

One Year Ago

2010-01-30T19:28:00.002-06:00

One year ago I sat down at the computer, and with the wonderful help from Randy Fisher, and Larry Simmons , we raised the money online to start this market. I am now working on the same format to raise money for Haiti. As of tonight we had raised Nearly $70,000.00. WE are buying ShelterBoxes So far we have bought 87 these boxes.

Our group is called The TM FISH Camp

Please come by and help us out at the next Market. Or make a $10.00 donation here.

Craig Crawford on the Imus Show

January 27, 2010
Craig Crawford on Shelter Boxes

Political Analyst Craig Crawford on why Shelter boxes for Haiti are a good bang for your buck.

Sorry Folks...

2010-01-09T12:00:00.002-06:00

This is a blanket apology to all our followers concerning the January DAM. My Tech-ineptness did not get an updated post to load. We pulled the DAM on Thursday with the dire cold weather reports. The ad fr the GO magazine and Bill's announcement in that mag on Friday had already been printed. I sent out all the emails I could and posted as many bulletins on media sites but I did miss some folks. I was updating this post and trying to upload a new image and it did not work.(Anybody giving internet lessons call me.)

To reiterate, The Downtown Art Market will be an 11 month season from now on, with January being a catch your breath month. We had a wonderful December and I think everyone could use a break.

We are working on the new space fees and the like an will be gettin g with everyone at the February DAM. As we always have , we'll be fair. We want this to continue to grow and for all our vendors to be happy.

Again my apologies to all...
Larry Simmons

Happy New Year!

2010-01-06T07:45:00.002-06:00

2010...sounded like the future when I was growing up, yet here it is. I hope we're ready. 2009 was a stellar year for us, the Marketeers, Tornado Gallery and of course The Downtown Art Market. We never imagined how great an event the Market would become. Our pride is shared, hopefully, by those intrepid individuals who set up their booths and sell their Art, by the Growers who bring the proofs of their labors every month. And by you the supporters of the DAM, y'all who buy things, visit with us here, pat everyone on the back and generally lift everyone's spirits month after month. Thanks to All of You.

This month looks like its going to be cold, it might turn out to be the slimmest Market yet, but that won't stop us. We'll try and make it happen. In February its the day before Valentines Day and we will have fresh cut local flowers and other items for your loved ones. In July we take to the streets every month for some really big things.

Yes Folks 2010 is here and the Downtown Art Market is hitting the ground running, thanks to everyone of you!

Christmas Here We Come

2009-11-18T15:17:00.003-06:00

The November DAM has come and gone and it was another success. We had a record number of 50 Artists and Growers participate. athe attendance for this one was around 550, about the same as October. Thanks to all who took part in and attended the inaugural Moondance Market, it was a start to an event we will repeat in December. On Friday the 11th we will have another MM, 6-9/10 as before. Its a preview party for the next day . Tell folks about it and lets see if we can make it work. On the 4th we will open the big room and the garden for Artists and Growers who want to sell during the First Friday Art Trail. We will have a show in Tornado Gallery that night, so it won't be set up for Market. Please contact me for further info about these events.

We will be welcoming McPherson Cellars and LaDiosa as two new vendors in December, gift bagged bottles of wine, wine accessories and some delicious new foods will be available. Welcome!

Everybody should be very proud of their involvement in The Downtown Art Market, its a huge shot in the arm for Downtown and gives us a chance to show Lubbock the caliber of Artists that are here.

Thanks Y'all

Marvelous Night For A Moondance

2009-11-10T14:42:00.006-06:00

This Friday-the 13th-we have our first Moondance Market. A nighttime preview of Saturday's Downtown Art Market. Taking place from 6-10pm, imagine strolling downtown and shopping at night. Crisp air, wonderful Art and Produce. A throwback to the old days, a night in the neighborhood. We'll have some of your favorite vendors as well as a few new ones this weekend. Kick off your gift giving season by shopping locally. Give the gift of hand made or hand raised items this year and get double satisfaction. Support local Art and Farmers. Thanks Folks and we'll see you this weekend...

2 comments:

Randy -Fish-Fisher said...

I love the graphics for the Moondance Market because I created it. But understand that it was Larry Simmons & myself that really created this. It was Larry's idea, we talked and shared ideas & this is what we created. I'm proud of this image. Please support your local artists & growers & my friends.
Randy Fisher ( AKA Fish )
November 13, 2009 9:12 AM

Colorado Bob said...

I love these " Apple Crate Graphics " too

Six Markets...Six Months

2009-10-11T23:03:00.003-05:00

Sure doesn't seem that long. Six Markets now, Six times we've all come together to show what we can do as Artists, Growers and Patrons. What a time we've had. Its always gotten better, the Market improves every time. Starting with our core of Artists...adding the Growers to the family, This Market we had Dancers- Thank you Fiesta Del Sol Ballet Folklorico- Musicians- Thank You Wade Parks, Jerry Slater and Bill Porter. What will be the next step? Who knows, it is an evolving concept. What we do know is that it is one of the most exciting events in Downtown Lubbock...more people discover it every month and it is just plain fun. We have as much fun putting it on as the people that support it.

In November...Friday the 13th. the first Moonlight Market, a preview night before the DAM on the 14th. A stroll through to see the wares our Artists have for the gift giving season. Stay tuned here for further info...or follow us on Facebook- The Downtown Art Market,

We...Tony, Jennifer, Colorado Bob. Fish and Myself want all of y'all to know this is a labor of Love and Respect for us. The love of community-the neighborhood- the love of Art and the respect for our vendors, and our business neighbors. The respect we have for our supporters-The Lubbock Arts Alliance...The Avalanche Journal...every customer we have is a supporter. All we ask is that you help us spread the good word...good things happen Downtown every second Saturday.

Great job everyone despite the brisk-crisp weather-it was another great day. Here is a great big Atta' Boy to all.

Larry Simmons...for all of us.

Vendor Links

2009-09-14T13:44:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder if you are one of our vendors, and have an online site, please send your link to -

coloradobob1"at"mac.com

Slightly Soggy September

2009-09-14T07:38:00.003-05:00

Well Marketeers we did it again...despite the ominous radar and the off and on drizzle, September's Market went very well. Although attendance was down, we still had around 600 folks, and there were some competing events most importantly The Cowboy Symposium.

It was in the words of one of our vendors still a great day. People were carrying sacks of Artistic works as well as fruits and veggies. The cool weather did add a nice calm to the whole event, it was less frenzied and there seemed to be a lot more interaction with Marketeers and Customers. That to me shows that the DAM is as much a community social event as it is a Market. That is a wonderful unexpected bonus to the effort.

Coming up in October we will be blocking part of Buddy Holly to traffic and setting up some stands in the street, this is the first step into making some of the Markets into full blown street festivals.

We hope y'all enjoyed our strolling musicians Wade Parks and Bobby Saied, we have wanted music as apart of this since the start. Thanks Guys.

Lets face it folks Art , Food and Music all make the World a better place for us all. Keep up the good work and we will too.
Larry Simmons

Here It Comes!

2009-09-07T10:47:00.002-05:00

Okay Folks, this Saturday the 12th its DAM time again...the Market will be open and I have a feeling this one will be great. Everyone involved is looking forward to it and wondering how it can get any better, yet it has every month. The Artists and Growers are always stepping up to the plate and never disappointing their customers. The people who come are reconnecting to friends and a better style of life while rediscovering Downtown Lubbock. This Market is a chance for all of us to do something positive for each other while showing the Community that great things can happen when everyone pulls in the same direction. Come on L-Town-lets show people what we're made of!

A copy of our mailout this month

2009-08-10T16:07:00.001-05:00

A Call for Sites & Ideas

2009-08-10T15:17:00.002-05:00

It has been my intention to do this for some time , forgive me for being tardy. If you are a vendor at the DAM and have a web page please forward your link to me :
Colorado Bob
coloradobob1atmac.com
I will do some work on this thing , and add another list of just our vendors.

The Foxland Growers 8/8/09

Photo by Tony Greer

While sitting across the street this weekend, I was lucky enough to visit with a lady who was part of the The Chattanooga Market. She gave us some very nice words of encouragement .

If you have comments or suggestions please let us know what your thinking.

August 8th-What a day!

2009-08-09T12:52:00.002-05:00

What more can we say than Thank You One and All! What a day! The Downtown Art Market wants to thank everyone who is a part of this community, the Art community, the Growers community we're all in this together and it showed on Saturday. What a spirit there was patrons and vendors alike!
We really do need to Thank some people-Elizabeth at The Lubbock Arts Alliance-she is one of a kind-and is on our side. She was our first organization sponsor and did those beautiful post cards, She is a rock in the Arts Community.
The Lubbock Avalanche Journal has stayed behind this from the beginning, they keep us in the events, neighborhood and community columns every month. That is huge folks-Thank You to the AJ.
People-give yourselves an Atta Boy-our Artists and Growers work extremely hard to do this Market and you are supporting it! The goodwill that is displayed at the market is overwhelming. Y"all make this the event it is...Hang on because its only going to get better.

Its Coming Up Quick

2009-08-05T10:47:00.002-05:00

This Saturday the 8th is the Downtown Art Market, Art, Food and Fun for the whole family. Demonstrations by Rocky Rockwell courtesy of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Fresh Plants and Produce. Lots more, you need to be here!

August 8-Farm to Menu at the Downtown Art Market

2009-07-24T18:39:00.002-05:00

The Downtown Art Market , featuring a Farmers Market is announcing a special event at the August 8th event. In conjunction with the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Farm To Menu program, Chef Rocky Rockwell of Texas Tech Hospitality Services, will be demonstrating recipes using locally grown, fresh food. Chef Rockwell was recently named South Plains Chef of the Year and prepared local and regional food at the Ogallala Commons Local Food Day in March. This demonstration and tasting will be going on from 10am-2pm at the Down Town Art Market.
The Downtown Art Market takes place on the second Saturday of each month at 19th Street and Buddy Holly Avenue, centered around Tornado Gallery. The Market has over 40 vendors, showing leather work, glass work, jewelry, photography, painting, metalwork and more. In addition to that the Farmers Market features locally grown fresh fruit, produce, plants, herbs and flowers. The July Market attracted over 600 visitors.
We are very excited about this, the July Market was just beyond all expectations and its only going to get better. Y'all make it better, every one who comes to shop and all who come to sell make the Downtown Art Market the event that it is.

Ping Pong Balls

2009-07-14T00:18:00.003-05:00

Well , Larry and I talked tonight. First good talk since Saturday. As we talked I thought of Don Herbert - " Mr. Wizard ". The coolest thing I ever saw was Don Herbert toss a ping pong ball onto a ping pong table, covered with mouse traps. .

This is 1959 folks, and I was about to drag our PhilCo TV to my 6th grade class in my long forgotten red wagon. Just so we could see all those very early rockets explode in black & white.

" Mr. Wizard " was explaining nuclear fission to all us baby boomers, and he had baited all those mouse traps with more ping pong balls.
Imagine a ping pong table covered , completely carpeted with mouse traps. EACH BAITED with 1 ping pong ball.

So Don tells us about splitting the atom. Why it works in reactors, & why it works in the bomb.
Then he tossed one ball onto that table, what follows next isn't a bunch of dominoes falling down .
It's pure insight into a nuclear chain reaction.

50 years later, as I listened to my friend Larry , I was just thinking of all those ping pong balls going everywhere.

One of our ping pong balls -

Paul Aguilar's Images of from 7-11-09.

The July DAM-Off The Charts

2009-07-13T10:47:00.007-05:00

This weekend was a resounding smash. That's all that can be said. It was a group effort, a community event and a whole lot of fun all rolled into one...a neighborhood happening. We had 29 Artists, 7 produce and plant vendors, Mad Solar Scientist Colorado Bob experimenting and...drum roll please...over 600 people through the Market. People that numbered more than doubled in 60 days, 3 markets. Everyone who participated and supported this should be very proud of it, it was a killer event.
Tornado Gallery and The Downtown Art Market would really like to thank all the Artists who have been there all events and the ones who continue to sign on, all the growers who came this time and from now on to add another local flair to it all, and to the folks who get out and buy items -that's a key- this is a great event but to sell thangs is what its about, these Artists and Growers pour their time and hearts into their crafts and plants and by purchasing, them y'all are showing that you want local items, local food and want this to be a success-that is a great thang.
The Lubbock Arts Alliance,The Lubbock Avalanche Journal and McDougal Properties really stepped up to the plate and helped knock this one out of the park...Thank You!

Tony Greer, Jennifer Greer, Colorado Bob, our unsung hero Randy Fisher-Fish- who does our remarkable graphics and I want to express our thanks to every one of you out there who sold, showed or supported The Downtown Art Market...please keep it up and we will too!
Larry Simmons

Farmers Market Meeting

2009-07-01T02:21:00.004-05:00

This is a nice shot of the first meeting for the Fresh Produce and Plants arm of the Downtown Art Market. Over 40 food gurus, growers, consumers and Downtown supporters gathered in Peggy Chapman's Garden at the Gallery to discuss the next step in this evolving concept. This will be a great market in July with 6, maybe more folks adding natural items to the markets wares.
The Downtown Art Market thanks each and everyone of those people who came to help in this project.

The Second Market and Beyond

2009-06-17T12:06:00.002-05:00

Folks this idea is catching on, the second Art Market was another blistering success, blistering as in the heat! Every one of our Marketers deserves a huge pat on the back for hanging tough. As we all know Lubbock is hot, and it rang true on the 13th...hot. We increased our vendor count, stayed almost the same on customer traffic and again we saw people leaving with purchased items, thats right our Artists sold things. This Market is as much an attempt to make The Hub a cool place to buy Art, as it is an experiment in community effort. Maybe that should be "communal" effort-whichever it is a group of people who come together on the second Saturday each month and bring a little neighborly spirit to Downtown Lubbock. Why not get on board.

Whats in store for the future you ask...so do we, what do y'all see. The July Downtown Art Market will see (hopefully) our first produce people with more to come. We want to add a fresh produce/food thang to the Downtown Art Market, we'd like to see demos of some of the Art displayed, looking for a glass bead maker to work in the ArtLab, we have lots of ideas ahead, and we'll keep on trying to increase our traffic flow.We hope everyone will stick with us and tell their friends, this is a labor of Love but also a work of Art, and we want everyone to help in its creation.
Larry

Lubbock Farmers Market Grass Roots Committee

2009-06-17T11:50:00.001-05:00

Our Second Market

2009-06-13T21:50:00.001-05:00

" There's Indians in that Tee Pee, I just know it. "

Aerial shot from Tony Greer

Our Next Market is July 11th. See you there.

The June 13th Downtown Art Market

2009-06-09T18:26:00.002-05:00

Its that second Saturday and that means The Downtown Art Market...this Saturday at 9am. The first was a success despite the unfavorable weather, and this one will be bigger. We want everyone who reads this to come out and support this event. This is a terrific way for artists, families and neighbors to come together and support Lubbock Arts. We have a wide variety of wares and vendors and there have been more sign up, We think we have something here...a grassroots event for everyone, for a good cause. Lets keep this rolling and just get bigger and better...see y'all Saturday.
Larry Simmons

The Downtown Art Market Before and After

2009-05-20T01:05:00.003-05:00

2 1/2 years ago -

Sunday May 17 , 2009 -

Photos via Tony Greer -

NEXT MARKET

2009-05-11T03:14:00.001-05:00

JUNE 13TH

The Baby Has Arrived

2009-05-11T00:14:00.008-05:00

Well, our little baby was delivered here Saturday to much fan fare. I am happy to report she had all her fingers and toes. And she blew in on a brisk 35 m.p.h. north wind. But we Texans have sand, if nothing else.

I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERYONE WHO BRAVED OUR WIND TO DELIVER OUR BABY.
Our turn out was good 19 vendors, and about 250 people I've never seen before in my life. People here seem to get what we're up to. We've got at least 3 farmer/gardener operations lined up , coming on stream in June. That will really add to the traffic. And I know from our small experiments with this last year, that having the traffic we had on our opening day , will really please these local producers who have joined us.

Colorado Bob sez buy a DAM shirt & a Dam Poster

This site, and the way we got our seed money together is a project of mine , along with Randy Fisher, who worked tirelessly with me to create, this site, our event poster, and this cool T-Shirt. With Larry Simmons blue editors pencil , and Tony and Jennifer's help, we have made a larger point . That a small group of people looking to get together, can raise the start up money to do it a project. We didn't spend a nickle to set - up this site, and start our project.
And by the wonderful support we received on opening day , well my small social web experiment, has made me very proud of Lubbock. This little Market is a blue print.

One of our aims is to improve the neighborhood. In order to buy materials, and keep funding our efforts, we're selling our shirt to raise money.
Two of the improvements we want to tackle :
1 - A mural on the building across the alley from the market.
2 - A gate way into Tornado Alley at 1820 Buddy Holly over our wrought iron gates.

Thank You Marketers

2009-04-19T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hello Marketers

I’m Larry Simmons, representing Tornado Gallery in this endeavor, Tony Greer, Jennifer Greer and Colorado Bob are the other hosts for The Downtown Art Market. Thank you for supporting this effort to start something in downtown Lubbock that revitalizes the sense of community and neighborhood that has slipped away. We hope to grow this into an event that we can all be proud of and will continue for a long time to come.
The first date will be Saturday May 9th, we will open at 9am so set up will start at 7am. All the areas will be outdoors so make plans accordingly. Shade devices, umbrellas, pop ups and such will be your own responsibility to bring. The booths will be either in the Tornado Gallery Garden or along Buddy Holly avenue, from TG down to Hulla’B Lu on the sidewalk. Everything will be taken down after the Market right now the market will close at 3. There will be no permanent or semi-permanent construction allowed. The areas will be set up so they don‘t interfere with the businesses open during that time, not in front of their doors and such. Electricity will not be accessible in every booth so plan that also. We will be setting spaces according to sign up with the Market, those who joined first will be in the garden area and it will progress out from there. We are sure that the first one will be a learning experience for all of us. The spaces will probably change from month to month also just to add some variety to the event. You folks that are farmers and gardeners bringing trucks and trailers will be set up in driveways and the street to allow folks to buy from your vehicles. If you bring a trailer, we ask that after setting in position, you move your vehicle to another spot, to allow for more parking. Bring your own change and such- bags, boxes whatever you think you’ll need to make this easy on yourselves as well as customers.
We are working with the City on this and have received lots of help from them but they do have some rules. The products sold cannot be purchased , resold items-they should be handmade items from artists or groups of artists. We do not want this to become a flea market. There is nothing wrong with those but this is a different animal and in order to do this that was a requirement. There are exceptions- art supplies, books, musician’s cds and such but no collectibles, housewares or things like . We will be looking at this hard to enable the DAM to keep moving forward. The retail businesses in the District can sell their wares on the sidewalk though, Tornado Gallery will be open selling its wares and we will probably set up a store of some sort in the front of our shop next door. We will try and make this an easy and fun event for all.
We’re finishing up a large project for the Arts Festival right now but before the Market please call me and make plans to come by Tornado Gallery and check out everything, my contact info will follow at the bottom. If everyone could , please e-mail me with your pertinent info and the type of things you will be selling, that will be used for publicity and other things.
Thanks to all for stepping up and Joining The Downtown Art Market, its all of us combined that will make this a success.

Larry Simmons, Tony Greer, Jennifer Greer and Colorado Bob
The Downtown Art Market
Tornado Gallery
806-239-1891
ideaworker@gmail.com
1820 Buddy Holly Avenue

Join Us

2009-02-24T15:13:00.010-06:00

Located at the Heart of the Arts District...19th and Buddy Holly Ave. in Lubbock, Texas. The Downtown Art Market is a community effort to allow artists and others to sell their wares or their talents to the community. We are a monthly event that is an affordable, laid-back market to showcase YOU. It is an off-shoot of Tornado Gallery and we attract a broad range of open minded people that are into making Downtown Lubbock the center of the entire community once more.

If you have a talent, a product, a song a CD, more pecans than you can use...this is the event for you. Join with us and support your neighborhood. Our market is a year-round , monthly event..the Second Saturday of each month. Get in on the ground floor and help us make this a success. For $30 dollars we will give you 150 sq. ft.space in which to ply your wares.....For 1 year. Yes , 1 Year. We will charge $25 for 150sq. ft. *every month *after we open on the second Saturday of May...the 9th... Get in now and help us get started.

The Downtown Art Maket Up Date Page

SIGN ON HERE

In order to prove the viability of this Market, we've found an unusual platform, as unusual as our offer of membership. We've signed on with :

Either
Everyone pledges money by the deadline and Fundable turns pledges into payments.

Or
Fundable deletes everyone's pledge and no one pays anything.

Just click on this link, for more details, and to join up On our Fundables Page: