Houston design
Buy local: DesignCraft takes over Market Square Park for a one-day-only pop-upshop
This is about the time of year that panic sets in. Workloads and social commitments seem to be kicking into overdrive and, meanwhile, your holiday shopping list isn't getting any shorter.
Lucky for you, Houston has an exceptional design scene, replete with jewelry makers and letterpress printers and specialty boutiques that carry locally-sourced or United States-manufactured goods. And AIGA Houston is bringing the crème de la crème together this Saturday for its third annual DesignCraft Market (formerly Ctrl+Art+Create) at Market Square Park.
"This year's vendors highlight some of the best of what Houston has to offer," Andy Rich, president of the AIGA Houston chapter, tells CultureMap.
Among them are local creators Cloth & Ink, Workhorse Printmakers, Vernon Caldera of Bonsai Terrariums and Evens, alongside a handful of our favorite boutiques, like Myth + Symbol and PH Design Shop.
"We realized that we all knew fellow graphic designers who had talents that extended beyond the day job," Rich says of the market's beginnings.
"We saw an opportunity to give members of Houston's vibrant design community a chance to sell their work, and give Houstonians a place to discover local, well-designed and hand-crafted goods — just in time for the holidays."
With free admission, a live soundtrack from bands Young Girls, Poor Pilate and Grandfather Child, tasty food courtesy of Niko Niko's and suds provided by Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Saturday's event presents more than just a shopping opportunity — and is a great way to get your loved ones one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting the local arts scene.
AIGA DesignCraft takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Market Square Park.