This upcoming weekend, the art community of Spokane is getting together for the 33 Artists Market. 

It is a two-day art show hosted at the Hive from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 4, and at the Wonder Building from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, featuring local Spokane artists.  

This will be the fourth and fifth volumes of this event, and shoppers can expect a small, curated market with easy access to the artists and their work. 

Because the first show on Saturday is at a smaller location, it will feature 13 past, present and future resident artists of the Hive, while the second show on Sunday will be bigger. 

Gwyn Pevonka, the woman who brought the 33 Artists Market to Spokane, said that she wanted to create a market that was different from other art shows.

“I wanted this market to be community focused,” Pevonka said, “ We’re all helping each other load in, it’s friendly, kind and still fast-paced.”

Pevonka said that she felt there was a lack of fine art markets in the area, and created this market to help remedy that. There will be a combination of fine art and traditional craft, with different kinds of mediums like painting, drawing, pottery and woodworking. 

The market is grassroots and focused on creating intentional relationships within the community. Pevonka said that there was a disconnect between the community and artists in the area, and she wanted to give artists another space to make money doing what they love. 

“My artists are not just numbers on a roster,” Pevonka said. 

Pevonka said that she tries to create a blend of artists, but it’s difficult to choose which artists to include for the event. She had over 150 artists apply to this market, and that number is only getting bigger. Intentionality is a huge part of how the market operates, and she said that she wanted to create a market that wasn’t overwhelming for shoppers or the artists. 

The 33 Artists Market is also known for creating a more intimate relationship between consumers and the artists. For Keith Harrop, a local artist known for his pencil-drawn depictions of animals in Victorian garb, the market is a valuable opportunity to get his art into people’s homes.

“Everybody that walks in there sees you and sees your art,” Harrop said. 

Harrop said that the artists appreciate an event like this because there is more of a feeling of connection between the buyers, and that they are more successful with their commissions. 

Not only that, but the event is incredibly accessible. 

“You can walk down the galleyway between the booths, and you don’t have to enter the booths, and you can see everything very clearly,” Harrop said. 

He continued to say that the market is an eclectic sampling of the art within the area. Although the art community took a hit during the pandemic, the crowds seem to be getting bigger with every event. 

Pevonka described herself as a dreamer, and she said she is optimistic about this particular project and its future. Shoppers can witness this event getting bigger this upcoming weekend, as the event gets split into two buildings over two different days.

“The Hive is where we started, and the Wonder building is where we’re going.” Pevonka said. 

She also has plans for next year’s shows as well. 

“We’re only going to get bigger, and for 2024, I expect over three shows a year,” Pevonka said. “I see a need, and I want to fill it with the 33 Artists Market.”

Shoppers can connect with the market on Instagram @33artistsmarket, and access their website at 33artistsmarket.com.