TACTILE [HE]ARTS
Tactile Arts is at it again, presenting their second of three Makers Markets of the year to celebrate the beautiful Dry season by the sea.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
BALMY DRY SEASON conditions, ocean views, feel-good vibes, and local arts and craft. What a set up.
Everyone’s invited to peruse the more than 100 stalls for locally made arts and crafts at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory lawns, with live music from Lilla Wellington, food stalls, and furry friends to cuddle.
Back in the ‘80s, originally starting out as Craft Fairs, the Makers Markets have grown to establish a regular spot on the Top End creative calendar, with three markets rolling out each year. Shoppers and crafts lovers can pick up a range of one-off, hand-crafted goods, including prints, textiles, jewellery, clothing, ceramics, paintings, homewares, and more.
Tactile Arts’ team member Millie Hunter says it’s a chance for the public to get around local crafts peeps.
“The Markets are important in they support our artists and creators, both financially and by celebrating their work,” she says.
“It’s a special day where our members come together and share what they’ve made, and a wonderful opportunity for the public to speak directly with the creators, who are doing great things, and to also take something special home.”
As Tactile Arts’ artists chip away in the studios, marketgoers can drop in for a gander and a chat. Local ceramicist Kate Bussey has run crafts business Studio Elevenlee with her husband Gerald Clapham for over 35 years, and says being able to engage with the public, in the studio, is a sweet experience for both artist and art lover.
“It's fantastic to have people come and see what you do, and people chat to you. They're really interested in how things, you know, how things work,” she says.
“People love to chat and meet the people who make stuff. You know, they want to buy your creations, and they like your story – everybody's got a story about why they started and what they do, and people love to hear that.”
Another sweet side effect of this market is that creatives have the chance to reconnect with their peers and check out what they’ve made. More often than not, they support one another by taking home a couple of goodies.
“The nice thing is, people support us, so we like to support other people as well,” Bussey says.
Making the trek to the market this year is Marrawuddi Arts & Culture Centre from Jabiru and Lipwurrunga (Les Huddleston) – a renowned Warray/Ngardi artist, didgeridoo maker, and spiritual healer from the Roper River region of East Arnhem Land.
The kids also get the chance to cuddle with some furry friends, as Woollybutt Wildlife Rescue is on hand with rescued animals to raise awareness about their mission.
If you can’t get there on the day, a friendly reminder that Tactile Arts has three stores around Darwin, so you can pick up some gorgeous crafts throughout the year. But try to get there if you can – this is one wholesome way to spend a Dry season Sunday.
Tactile Arts Makers Market
WHEN SUN 19 JUL | 9AM-3PM
AT MAGNT LAWNS
COST FREE
INFO tactilearts.org.au
