El Paso’s Downtown Artists and Farmers Market is the Sun City’s homegrown gem. Beginning in 2011 as a simple art market, the event has now blossomed into one of El Paso’s source for vendors who seek to sell their homegrown produce and crafts.
Offering a variety of goodies from organic fruits and vegetables to handcrafted bracelets made from early 1900s silverware, the market provides exposure to the city’s artistic and farming community. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anthony Street is alive with the hustle of street vendors, families and puppies on leashes searching for a find. Farming and food vendors offer an array of products such as lamb meat (which is sought out by local restaurant owners), duck eggs, beef and pineapple jerky, peaches and pumpkins, sprouts, honey, teas, chocolates, pies, baked goods, lotions, soaps and facial scrubs, all organic and locally grown or made.
Artists and craft makers exhibit their unique artwork and creations, like portraits and prints, screen-printed clothing, wooden décor, knitted hats for dogs, handmade jewelry and hand-made huaraches. There is something genuine and authentic about every tent pitched up alongside the sidewalk.
Those in attendance are either seeking something specific or just looking around, but it is easy to get wrapped up in the music from the street performers and the food truck scents waiting at the end of the street. It is a market for everybody, an event for a family day trip or a reflective stroll for the creative mind.
Every vendor is passionate and dedicated to their craft. Take 9-year-old painter Chance Johnson, who has been selling his abstract landscapes and portraits at markets for a few weeks now. The young artist sells about 12 pieces per event and enjoys painting abstractly because of people’s different perspectives. As Johnson said, “A flower to one person can look like a dragon to someone else.”
Stephanie Amerena represents Iron Goats Ranch in Hueco Tanks, which makes a variety of goat milk products such as lotions and body scrubs. Their products are organic and can be used as home remedies for treating headaches and sinuses.
“Everyone is nice and willing to help, they all value quality over quantity,” Amerena said.
Many small businesses such as the Iron Goat Ranch line the streets and offer the best of their craft. By offering top-quality products with the sense of community amongst the vendors, it is evident why the Downtown Artists and Farmers Market creates such an easygoing vibe that has people in attendance every weekend.
The market is also pet friendly, “which is another benefit about working it (the market),” Amerena said. “There are puppies everywhere.”
The market also offers free cooking demonstrations for free from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where one can watch the cook prepare delicious foods featuring ingredients sold at the market.
Although some of the vendors are regulars, every Saturday the Downtown Artists and Farmers Market offers a selection of original products for the eager eye. The market offers its spaces to those dedicated to their crafts and further promotes all the talent and heart the city of El Paso has to offer.
Stephanie Hinojosa may be reached at [email protected].
