Tomorrow is a big day for Wallingford. Not only is it the first Wednesday of the month, thus Wallingford Art Walk, but it’s also June 1st, the grand re-opening and relocation of the Wallingford Farmers Market. A day for getting out and celebrating?
Maybe, hopefully. But it’s no longer the beautiful alignment of the planets that it was in past years. In past years, a warm sunny day took you to the festive, if undersized, bazaar that sprouted in Wallingford Center’s lot. You loaded fresh vegetables, meat and perhaps flowers or prepared foods into your well-worn canvas bag and started your wander home. On your way, you peered in through the windows of shops and noticed a gaggle of neighbors, clear plastic cups of red wine in their hands, standing around new works of art, chatting and waving you in. You plopped your bag down in the corner and decided that dinner could wait a bit, especially with that hummus and cheese plate beckoning you from the table.
On the flip side, art walk enthusiasts getting an early start would stumble upon the market, and make an impulse buy of arugula and golden beets. Either way, both events benefited from one another.
This year, though, the Farmers Market is now at the Good Shepherd Center, several blocks away from the Art Walk thoroughfare on 45th St. The short blocks alone may not make a huge difference, but if you’re coming from north of 45th, it’s certainly more likely that you just head home rather than spend some time in with the art.
The Farmers Market runs 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Art Walk begins at 6:00 pm. Parking is likely to be something of a hassle, as the organizers are asking people to park only on Meridian, not the GSC’s parking lot (to avoid traffic jams on Sunnyside). While that could mean more people walk, it could also mean that the market is simply less well attended. Indeed, if you think of all the folks from Wallingford who commute by car to work and return around 6 pm, it’s hard to imagine them dropping off their cars at home to make a made dash by foot to catch the end of the market. It’s easier to imagine them trying to find parking south of 50th on Meridian, finding it full and heading home to a package of frozen ravioli from Whole Foods.
We hope that’s not the case. And please don’t interpret this as a criticism of the decisions made: we know the Farmers Market Association worked hard to find a home in Wallingford for the market, and believe they probably made the best choice they could given the very limited options available. Anyway, that particular deceased equine has taken its share of kicks already.
Instead, this is a shout-out to implore you to prove us wrong. Make the time to shop at the Farmers Market, supporting local agriculture and giving yourself a shot of the kind of quality, hand-picked produce you can’t find in the corporate produce aisle. While you’re at it, carve out some time to chat with your neighbors at local shops showing local art by local artists.
Don’t have time for it all? May we suggest Anthony Warner’s show at SeaMonster this month. Anthony traveled through Cuba, shooting “government propaganda, beautiful countrysides, organic farms, bright nightlife, tropical beaches, and all the beautiful weirdness of Cuba.” While he was at it, he collecgted rare Cuban salsa and funk records that they’ll be spinning during Art Walk. Grab a mojito or a Cuba libre and enjoy the sights and sounds of cuba amongst friends. In a nod to the socialist revolution, he’s making some art available for free to the People.
Make the time for it, please. You won’t just be feeding yourself, you’ll be feeding your community.
Here’s the rest of it for Art Walk:
- Bargain Fair Thrift Store: Photographer Graham Clark
- Dandelion Salon: Megan Key: “These paintings give you a look into my universe. In them I explore visions that spark when I practice yoga, meditate or am outside running. I use oil and acrylic to create a mix of colorful magical landscapes and sometimes creatures. My intention is that my paintings share this world with you, and I invite you to come see them and be inspired.
- Fuel: Lonjina Verdugo
- Irwin’s Bakery: Molly Donovan
- KERF International: Local artist Warren A Pope and his son the next generation; who in his own words is an artist of illustrated “ambiguity.” The cool modern sophisticated sculptural forms of Warren A are a nice juxtapose to the playful imagery of Warren W.
- Key Bank: Siolo Thompson will be showcasing a selection of oil and watercolor portraits and figurative paintings. Her work features mysterious landscapes, totemic animals, robots and objects. She will be doing a live painting demonstration from 6 to 9.
- Not A Number: We’re featuring a Tarot/Astrology Reader who makes astrology greeting cards, as well as Elinor, who makes unusual and colorful duct tape wallets.
- SeaMonster Lounge Cuba Libre: A PHOTO exploration of modern Cuba by Anothony Warner.”Come check out free photo socialism as Anthony Warner shares his photos of a monumental journey through Cuba. All the strangeness of cold war communism & propaganda, Havana nightlife, urban gardening, beautiful people, and tropical goodness. Mojitos will be served! Also listen to rare Cuban funk 45’s that AW collected.”
- Seattle Mosaic Arts: is excited to hold its 2nd Annual Members Show, featuring work created by members of the Seattle Mosaic Arts community. Works range from small decorative items to larger architectural installations and garden art. As we approach our 2nd anniversary of being open, we encourage people to come and see some of the mosaics that have grown out of this studio in just two short years.
- Stu Stu Studio: I’ll have food n’ drinks, bad ass jewelry and 99% sure that I will be doing the “Note Show” (working title) It will be a show of framed, hand-written notes. Anything goes, they can be love notes, hate notes, post its, whatever!
- Thrive Natural Family Medicine: Sydney Palmer: “These watercolor paintings emerged from my love of the glorious colors and quirky shapes of vegetables. Their unending variety never fails to bring cheer. I am a local (Phinney Ridge) artist, and these images are all giclée prints of my original watercolor paintings.”
- Wallingford Dental Arts: Kristin Frost
On the musical side of the house, The Polyrhythmics, an eight-piece funk and afrobeat orchestra will be bouncing at Wallingford Center from 6 – 7 pm.
There is also no parking on 50th from 4-6 PM on weekdays. Hopefully people will be aware of this to avoid possible towing during the farmers market.
This could be a ‘Just Google it, silly’ question but why did they move locations in the first place? We just moved in Wallingford in March and are bummed we don’t live across the street from the market now!
Despite all the signage, the Farmer’s Market is NOT moving to the Good Shepard Center. It is moving to Meridian Park, which adjoins the Good Shepard Center. Don’t bother knocking on the GSP door!
Be forewarned, there will be no mercy for illegally parked vehicles. If the farmers market proves to be a nuisance for the neighborhood, it will need to go.
Steve
Too bad we can’t figure out a way for the music and the farmers’ market to be at the same place? And, oh my goodness — what a bunch of grumpy comments! I’m just glad we still have a market in the ‘hood!
@Katie, loooong story short: the old location, the south end of the Wallingford Center parking lot, wasn’t large enough to field a profitable, sustainable market. Some commercial tenants in the center also felt they were losing business because of the parking crunch, thus expanding to the rest of the lot was a no go. Other locations were considered, but all were rejected for one reason or another.
Come visit Wallingford Dental Arts during the Wallingford Art Walk and see local artist Kristin Frost for one of her last shows in Seattle. Prints and paintings available for sale, visit her website at: http://www.kristinjfrost.com
Get away from all the hustle and bustle of 45th and stroll on down to Wallingford Dental Arts on corner of 40th & Wallingford Ave N. Music, food and art starts at 6:00pm.
As a Wallingford neighbor who lives north of 45th, I’m thrilled with the move to Meridian. This move makes it much more likely that we’ll walk to the farmer’s market on Wednesday nights. I realize that this makes it a longer walk for those south of 45th, and I appreciate that they’re disappointed with the move, I would be too. But do remember that there is a whole section north of 50th that is now closer to the market.
“Be forewarned, there will be no mercy for illegally parked vehicles. If the farmers market proves to be a nuisance for the neighborhood, it will need to go.”
Will it really be that big a deal if there are cars illegally parked for 4 hours a week? During the day on a weekday at that? It seems like you could have some mercy in the name of supporting local agriculture.
@ Person,
The farmers market is just one of many events that go on at Meridian Park that create chaos when it comes to parking in the area, and that gets put up with. But considering the farmers market is a “FOR PROFIT BUSINESS” on tax payer property and at taxpayer expense, I just have a hard time seeing why blocking driveways, intersections and making parking for residents extremely difficult an acceptable thing. I believe that just like any other business, it should be respectful of it’s neighbors, and pay their fair share. The hours of the market are prime time parking hours in this area, which will compound the issue. Between vendor parking, visitor parking and resident parking (then add 50th st resident parking to the surrounding neighborhood during those hours) it will no doubt be a big hassle for the neighborhood. I’ll be supporting the market in a FAIR manner. If this “for profit business” becomes a nuisance, it’ll be treated like any other business that doesn’t respect the neighborhood. Until then, I look forward to shopping at the market…..While legally parked!
Steve
@Katie Here’s another link with more about the farmers market moving: http://tinyurl.com/3d8d7s6
I loved the new experience today. Was great to see lots of people out, there was a lot of room for casual hanging out with neighbors, etc. The park was ridiculously full of kids (way more than the usual 5-6PM contingent) and it felt like a great vibe to me. Granted I was able to walk and didn’t have to deal with what appears to be some parking drama, but still…all in all…I thought it was pleasant improvement….
curious what the cub reporters from wallyhood report back on the actual till take perspective of the vendors….