Heide Makers' Market

A lovely morning with lovely humans

By Thomas Feng

April 16^th, 2017

a monthly gathering

The Heide Makers' Market is a collaboration between the Heide Museum of Modern Art and the Rose Street Artist Market. Once a month, the picturesque Heide Sculpture Park and Gardens hosts an excellent range of arts, craft, food and design goods.

Meg, Nathan and I recently spent a Saturday morning partaking in the festivities and visiting our friend Sarah's jewellery stall.

There were many stalls, much more than we expected and there was quite the buzz of energy throughout the market from stall-holders and visitors. There was everything from artistan popcorn, plants, ceramics, boutique furniture, jewellery, paintings and anything and everything to do with craft and design.

We started the morning with coffees from Allpress Espresso out the front of the market. They converted the old little caravan (below) into a cute coffee van with a vintage cream and wooden panel finish. Their bonsoy lattes were a delicious treat.

Our favourite stall (besides Sarah's) was that of Alex Hotchin and their partner. They shared their stories of travelling around the world for two years and the maps they had drawn showcasing their routes throughout different continents. The predominant forms of transport were motorcycles or hitchhiking rides; they didn't bring mobile phones or a GPS either, which forced them to rely on other people for help and speak to locals.

Their stories were very inspiring. I have been hoping to do some further travel for a while now and have been reflecting upon how our interactions with the world change when we are glued to our phones. I don't think I could be as radical as Alex travelling without my mobile phone, but I am willing to rely upon a physical map and directions from strangers to find my way in new places. I think without our phones, we are willing to make new connections with new people. We become thrust into the present world and our present thoughts, instead of remaining comfortable with the places and people we temporarily leave. This discomfort, this unfamiliarity is something that we all share when we travel; and it is in this feeling that we discover, explore and experience the authenticity of other people's cultures, traditions and lives whom we visit.

We left that 15-minute chat with the couple feeling very warm and I feel like we could listen to their stories for hours upon hours next time if we were to ever meet again.

After a few rounds walking by the stalls, I bought a little deep-sea blue glazed ceramic teacup, Meg bought a lovely bowl and Nathan munched on a vegetable ciabatta. I think what makes the market so special is that it gives you a chance to speak to the artists and their inspirations and experiences. Markets make supporting local artists much more than just an "appreciation of their aesthetic"; it becomes an understanding of what has shaped them, how they discovered their art and how they create. It makes local art accessible and personable and I encourage everyone to support their local artists and support the thought, vigour and love poured into their craft.

I managed to sneak in a photo-shoot of Nathan and Meg in the kitsch Kitchen Garden of the Heide at the end of our visit. They're two of my favourite human beings ever and I am so lucky to have them in my life. They're a really lovely couple and the photos below are a small example of how beautiful they are.

Even when my life feels a little out of control, spending quality time with these two keeps me grounded and brings me some peace. Thank you for a bloody lovely time.