Patrons and vendors alike flocked to Campus Corner from areas throughout Oklahoma and Texas for the weekend’s Dustbowl Arts Market to sell and purchase unique goods.
The biannual festival, which took place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday on Buchanan Street, featured many local as well as out-of-state artists who sold their handmade crafts and artwork.
Artist Isabella Dennis, a Dallas native, was attracted to selling her products at Dustbowl by Norman friends on Etsy, an online craft marketplace, and drove from Texas on Saturday morning.
Dennis said she was interested in checking out the market out after she heard about the desingers in Oklahoma.
Dennis’ company, Fifi du Vie, sold screen-printed canvases, tote bags and greeting cards at the market.
“It seems like a pretty good turnout even with how hot it is,” Dennis said. “It’s really, really hot, but there’s still a crowd here. I haven’t really seen much of Norman, but this is a neat area.”
While Dennis was a newcomer at this year’s market, other vendors have watched Dustbowl grow to the well-known event it is today.
Samantha Lamb, resident of Hobart, Oklahoma, participated in the first Dustbowl Arts Market in 2009 with her photography venture, Samantha Lamb Photography.
“The first year, vendors showed up late ... you didn’t really know what to plan for,” Lamb said. Lamb believes that the Dustbowl Arts Market provides a unique venue for those who attend to connect with art.
“I’m just in love with Dustbowl and all it stands for, really,” Lamb said. “It gives us a great opportunity to sell our goods and to see friends. Just anybody who is willing to put their blood, sweat and tears into this, just for us artists, I give respect.”
Patrons also enjoyed the market, purchasing goods and watching bands and other musical acts well into the evening.
“It’s really been a blast,” said Laura Wagner, 2009 OU graduate and Norman resident. “I was able to buy some burp cloths for a friend who’s having a baby. I’ve actually been up here twice today.”
Ashley Sawyer, elementary education senior, said she went to the market at Norman Music Festival.
“It’s been a lot of fun today,” she said. “It is hot, but we’ve been going in some stores.”
The Dustbowl Arts Market will return to Norman’s Main Street during the fifth annual Norman Music Festival in spring 2012.
Sydney Allen, Life and Arts reporter
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