Good Earth to hold craft and arts show on Saturday, Sept. 17

On Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Good Earth Market in Clarksville will hold its Semi-Annual Art & Craft Show. Market owner Susan Ryan said this was the sixth year she’s held the event, after first creating it for some of the artists who work in her store.

“The reason we first decided to do it is because two of the girls that work at the market, Dawn Pierro and Sandy Powell, both make jewelry. Then another employee of ours, Ann Margaret Donato, her husband [John Donato] is an artist,” explained Ryan. “So we just decided to get together and do it, and invited a lot of other artists.”

On Saturday, about 15 vendors will be set up in Good Earth’s yard, selling all handcrafted, homemade items, from purses to woodworks, to sea-glass jewelry.

“We have some new people that we’re excited about. We’ve got a lady that makes handmade soaps, and we’ve got a great new glass artist. We’ll have Liddy’s Fun Clothes – who sometimes sets up in front of the market – there, as well.”

Ryan said the evolution of the show has been organic in growth and in finding artists.

“They just kind of come to us. They know about our show, and they get on our list for applications. There are just so many great local artists in the area that it’s kind of easy to find them.”

Ryan said that, over the years, the show has grown from just a small group of crafters. And, this year, to add to the crafting fun, there will also be live music and foods available for those attending.

“We have some of the same crafters and artists that come every time. We always some entertainment, like local acoustic guitarists – Kogler’s Old World Bread available all day, we’ll sell that outside. That’s really fun, people love that,” said Ryan. “This year, we’re going to have organic hotdogs available and, of course, our Good Earth sprout sandwiches for sale, as well.”

Ryan said she hopes the show will continue to draw more local artists, especially those who are up-and-coming.

“We charge a very, very small fee so that small people can be in the show — more budding artists. We want to keep that the same,” she said. “I hope that it continues to grow and that we have to expand into the other field.”

Ryan added that the event, which is free and open to the public, is the perfect time to pick up a few gifts for the upcoming holiday season, or to just enjoy a beautiful fall day.

“There’s nothing better than something handmade and meeting the artist,” she said. “It’s just a fun day out. It’s amazing. And I think September is the time when the locals start coming out. You know, it’s on a Saturday in the fall; people are starting to think about Christmas gifts. I think the fall show is even better than the spring show.”

She noted that such an event would not be possible without a great local community with fantastic local artists.

“I just think we have such an amazing artist community in our area,” she said. “There are just so many people who put their talents out there.”

Good Earth Market is located on Route 26 in Clarksville. For more information, call (302) 537-7100.