Inspired by the great creativity and rare talent Maryborough artists offer the Heritage City, owner Ann Cleary of
The Vine Marketplace was motivated to open a space where arts and crafts can be purchased, workshops can be run and chats to the artists can be enjoyed.
The Vine Marketplace (Author's Photo)
The aim of the business is to connect people and hence the name
The Vine Marketplace is a place where people come together entwining, sharing, supporting and growing friendships. At present the artists are mainly individual stallholders, however, Ann's vision is for other small businesses to join the enterprise to sustain a marketplace that can be open five or six days a week. Currently, The Vine Marketplace opens on a Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Photo courtesy of The Vine Marketplace
On opening day, Jeanette Grenfell was displaying her craft in the art of spinning wool on her wheel, while on the day I visited a lady was relaxing on the ex St Stephen's Church Pew happily crocheting. Both these crafts, along with knitting, came from the 16th and 17th centuries and it is pleasing today to see a renewed interest in the art. At any given day on your visit, you will find artists knitting capes and headwear, spinning and dyeing of wool, sewing machines creating garments and embroidery merchandise, paintings hanging from the walls, macramé, honey products, homemade arts and crafts, photograph frames, mugs, creative handmade earrings and jewellery, second-hand wares and more.
As Christmas is not far off, The Vine Marketplace is a good place to start stocking up on gift purchases, but do not delay as all items here are one-of-a-kind.
Photo courtesy of The Vine Marketplace
Anyone wishing to hire a space at The Vine Marketplace can do so from $10 a stall. Ann provides all the tables and tablecloths, making it easy for the
stallholder to bring in their merchandise and set up. Several of the current stallholders have Facebook and Instagram accounts, however, their clientele wishes to see the items first-hand prior to purchase. The Vine is the perfect venue for this to occur.
Author's Photo
Hours for The Vine Marketplace are Thursday 8.00am to 2.00pm and Saturdays 8.00am to 12 Noon. Next time you are in town, pop into 376 Kent Street,
Maryborough where you can meet friendly artists only too happy to share their knowledge of their craft.