Abiola, is an Italian artist of Nigerian origins. She attended Baylor University on a full basketball scholarship where she received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Spanish literature and Culture. After graduating, she started her career as a professional basketball player in Israel, where she played for 3 seasons, then moved to Ibiza Spain, Italy for 4 years and finally in England, where she also pursued her master degree in International Business Management . While in Israel she attended the art workshop of famous Israeli artist Eilat Tzin, and developed her skills further.
Abiola likes to focus her work on the diverse aspects of Black culture and tries to capture the beauty of her people and her culture in the works of art she creates. Her artwork is exciting, bold and expressive. Not only is she fascinated by the human form, but emotions, body language and especially eye expressions. Her style, sense of color is eye catching and being noticed by many.
The occasion features Wilde, a photographer, joining studio photographer Ken Hudson in Studio 20 and jewelry artist Rachel Goodman moving in with Heather Jones Taylor across the hall in studio 21.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 6 – 10 p.m. at Hardy & Nance Street Studios, 902 Hardy St, Studio 20, Houston, Texas 77020. Get all the details on the Facebook event page.
Read my weekly column about art in The Leader Newspaper – online HERE!
Welcome to 2017! Woo Hoo! Hello, this is Mitch, I am the founder and manage First Saturday Arts Market. Thank you for checking this page out.
I’m going to give you a little tour of what you can expect to find at the market Saturday, from walking in, around and out!
GETTING HERE & PARKING
This part is easy, you drive and park all the time! We have directions and a parking map here on our Location page. We’re hard to miss if you come from the west, first check for parking in the big lot to our east. See that big truck? That’s Luv Me Tendersthey have fabulous chicken tenders but this Saturday, you might want to try their legendary Shorty Mac! Why short ribs on a chicken menu? Well, it’s a blast from the past – come ask me at market.
In front of the former Gen’s Antiques (now open at 373 W. 19th) you’ll find Texas Beer Bus, and they do exactly what their name implies, takes you on tours of breweries, wineries and distilleries.You can buy tickets right here and get your questions answered. They are always super cool and fun people! From their website –
Texas Beer Bus Tours are a fun and safe way to experience craft beer breweries, whiskey/vodka/rum distilleries, and wineries. We love craft beer and want to teach the world about it while exploring different breweries in a fun and safe way.
GOT WINE? We do!
That’s Edie with the big laugh and Jon to her right motioning me to put the camera away. (I really have no idea, but it looks that way!)
They own Water 2 Wine, a winery here in town, and though they have many fine selections they can only legally sample and sell wine made from Texas grown grapes. That’s how they can be in our little dry section of the city. My fav is the port, that’ll keep you warm while you shop! By the glass or take home a bottle or 6! Find out more on their website: www.water2wine.com
MUSIC!
Under the bright yellow tent at 2pm – The Tomes will perform! Their style is best described as a combo of acoustic, soul and rock. The members are all professional musicians and work for organizations like the Houston Symphony and Rice Orchestra. Now that is cool – and if you hadn’t guessed by their name, their lyrics might be on the weighty side. (I’m crack myself up LOL). Head over to our music page here, to preview their music.
BullsEye Storage is our music sponsor. Got stuff? Let them keep it out of the way for ya!
TIP: bring a lawn chair.
The Tomes
BABY, WE HAVE ART!
Original, fresh, modern, hip, cool, amazing, spiritual, life changing and most importantly collectable!
EVERY artist is posted on The Artist Roster each month. When you get to the page you’ll see a featured image and the artist’s name (or their business name) under it. Click either and you’ll go directly to that artist’s page and where there are MORE photos, a description of the work, bio on some and web and contact info. Below is a random sampling of this months show.
Click the image to see Saturday’s artist roster!
WALKING IN …
When you get to the back … (continue below video)
You will see this tent – THAT is an empty tent – but as you approach it Saturday, you will see a friendly person, talking about beer and handing out small samples. They are delicious.
MeetTown in City Brewing Company!
In fact, you should head over to the brewery after the market! Get directions via their Facebook page here.
If you haven’t seen Nancy’s art, she creates amazing decorative and functional art out of tin cans. For this art show at Town in City, she has created a fabulous collection of animal head trophies! They are hilarious! Here is a pic I snapped at a recent visit. The brewery taproom is open Wed-Sunday.
Friday, January 13 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Town in City Brewing Company
1125 W Cavalcade St, Houston Heights, Texas 77009
Join us on Facebook! Just click the image. Here is a pic from the market in December 2016!
I am now entering my 4th year of showing at First Saturday Arts Market, and my 10th year of making jewelry. About a year ago Mitch was doing an article on a few of us artists. In the article, he described me as a jeweler. Since then I have reflected on his view of me and my immediate reaction to that label. I called him right away stating… I am NOT a jeweler, I am a metalsmith!
My entire life I have had a strong desire to create. I loved art in school, I poorly learned to play the piano and drums. I begged and got my first camera at age 7. I was always driven to make something, create something. In college, I studied photography. I had my own darkroom and had a blast developing my own images. I did a little photo work after that but mainly worked in the corporate world.
Chrissy Doolen’s workbench.
Fast forward what seems like an entire lifetime and you arrive at the years 2000- 2001. New adventures, marriage and a big move from Louisiana to Colorado. I decided I was ready to be a photographer. I did portrait work and beautiful nature photos, after all, Colorado offers a ton of beauty. A few years later I was introduced to the scrapbooking phenomenon. What a blast! I worked for several manufacturers and a favorite was traveling all over the U.S. to teach the
classes I had developed. It was the perfect place for me to marry my photography with paper art. But like all good things that lead you where you should truly be… the industry slowed and I was ready to move on. I came home and told my husband I wanted to become a metalsmith…. His priceless response… “of course you do”.
I went to school for about 3.5 years studied every technique I could and decided to venture out into a world of jewelry making. Close to this time my husband is having to transfer with his job to Houston. I’m thinking, new area, a new adventure. I found many shows and markets to participate in, however, until I foundFirst Saturday Arts Market I never truly realized how to describe me.
You see to me I equated jeweler with that person that sits in a shop making wedding rings and such. Someone that casts there designs. Not that there is anything at all wrong with that, they are skilled amazing people. We all have our space. But for me, what I discovered is that I am an artist. I don’t fit in a box. I want to make and create in every way I can. From painting to home decorating to remodeling, making things out of wood, making displays for my tent, creating little pieces of wearable art, I am an artist. Everything I see and do I approach with this artist eye.
I still love working with metal and every day I learn. I think I have finally found that medium that of which I will never tire… but then again I know me, and I know better than to ever say never.
Supremes
18 x 20 Mixed Media on Wood Panel
by Heather Yoki
Mitch Cohen
* Cover art: ”Chakra Tree” by Heights artist Shanti Herrington
Raffle drawing at 8:00 pm.
Complimentary Drinks
Plenty of street parking is available and the event is free and open to the public.
The Hardy & Nance Street Studios are located in Houston’s historic warehouse district, at 902 Hardy Street, Houston, TX 77020.
For a map & more info. please visit our website:
http://www.hardyandnancestudios.com/
Mitch Cohen founded First Saturday Arts Market in 2004 and still manages the show.
Rain had most events canceled this weekend including First Saturday Arts Market – we’ll be back Dec. 17. I noted new dates below for the rest.
Not canceled! The annual Heights Artisan Market is another fine art affairé happening indoors at the Odd Fellows Lodge #225, 115 E 14th St. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Quality work here by area professionals run by Heights artist Liz Conces Spencer. Facebook Event Page
Houston Studio Glass open house and demos – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with an open house and demonstrations. Plus, open December 10 – 11 and finally open for shopping 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on December 17. All events are at the studio: 610 Jackson Hill St. 77007 between Washington Avenue and Memorial Dr. Read my interview in The Leader Newspaper:
Click to read the article.
Monthly
First Saturday Arts Market will be open DECEMBER 17 11am – 5pm. Enjoy free admission, nearby parking and an intimate atmosphere at the market. We also have great original music, food trucks and adult beverages. The market is just steps away from restaurants and all the great shopping on 19th Street. First Saturday Arts Market is open year round at 540 W. 19th Street and online 1stSatArtMarket.com. Next door to YogaOne Heights.
CANCELED Heights Epicurean Farmers Market is a community event taking place at Grace United Methodist Church at 1245 Heights Blvd. This market also takes place on first Saturday’s from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Produce, prepared and packaged foods, art, craft and entertainment are all here filling a much-needed void in our neighborhood, farm produce! Get more info online; heightsepicurean.com.
This Week & Annual events:
Americana Showcase – Holiday Party!
Thursday, December 1st, 6:30-8:30. EQ Heights1030 Heights Blvd, Houston, Texas 77008 [themify_icon icon=”fa-map-marker” link=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/EQ+Heights/@29.790124,-95.3993837,17z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8640c75edcb056eb:0xca470c26c7170e80!2s1030+Heights+Blvd,+Houston,+TX+77008!3b1!8m2!3d29.790124!4d-95.397195!3m4!1s0x8640c75edcb056eb:0x1734aa110ddc1059!8m2!3d29.790124!4d-95.397195″ ] Holiday party, featuring all of the musicians that have played at the Americana Showcase this year! Hosted by Grifters & Shills.
Lisa Hilton Featured Artist at Town in City Brewing Co. Friday, December 2, 7-9 p.m. Opening reception with complimentary cheese and crackers from the Houston Dairymaids. 1125 W Cavalcade St, Houston Heights, Texas 77009 View the Facebook invite here.
The 8th Annual CraftidoteCANCELED Rescheduled for Dec. 11. noon – 5pm in the parking lot of Antidote Coffee at 729 Studewood St. Here you’ll find some very talented “indie” artisans to fine art, music and food. Beer lovers be sure to check out Premium Draught next door, amazing fresh beers to go. Facebook Event Page
New Date: Holiday on 19th Street
Friday evening, December 9, 6-10 p.m. Holiday on 19th Street. www.19thStreetHeights.com. Shop 19th Street also hosts a monthly Sip ’n Stroll on third Thursdays.
Somehow, unbeknownst to me obviously, Sculpture Month Houston completely missed my radar. Never again! I say. This weekend is the last that you can visit the curated exhibits and also follow a map of about 35 different sites. Wow!
Houston has great sculpture, both public and privately funded. The brief preview I got at SITE Gallery Houston at The Silos at Sawyer Yards by Antarctica Black (cool name!), one of organizers, is nothing short of amazing. I’m keeping this on my calendar for next year.
Mitch Cohen founded First Saturday Arts Market in 2004 and still manages the show.
Gene Hester and Liz Conces Spencer – Aspens
A couple of artist receptions that I would love to see but alas – it’s first Saturday and I have plans. If you can go, send me your thoughts and photos, I’ll post them here!
Archway Gallery presents UBIQUITOUS
In my column last week I introduced you to Liz Spencer and Gene Hester- 2 fine artists that have collaborated with glass. Read my column here.
Opening reception is 5-8 p.m. Saturday, November 5 at Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy. There will be complimentary valet parking and light refreshments, and the exhibition will be on view through December 1. Find more details online at archwaygallery.com
Now this next one I am really disappointed I can’t make – Lindsay Peyton is a great friend and awesome artist. These large oil paintings depict all the wonderful places I got to visit with Lindsay in Seattle last summer. Oh, you bet I wrote about that trip, read that column here.
From the invite: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” C. G. Jung.
That quote was the inspiration for artist Lindsay Peyton’s upcoming exhibit entitled “Unconscious Conscious.” Her large oil paintings of interior spaces – which the artist says depict “places that provide us sanctuary and refuge” — will be on display from Wednesday, Nov. 2 through the end of the month.
An opening reception is slated for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Jung Center of Houston, 5200 Montrose Blvd. in the heart of the Houston Museum District.
Art will be paired with brews by Town City Brewing!
Welcome to 2017! Woo Hoo! Hello, this is Mitch, I am the founder and manage First Saturday Arts Market. Thank you for checking this page out.
I’m going to give you a little tour of what you can expect to find at the market Saturday, from walking in, around and out!
About the featured image: Patrons happy with a new purchase by C.S. Ellington. Stop by her booth Saturday. (Up against the orange wall, forth from the front!)
GETTING HERE & PARKING
This part is easy, you drive and park all the time! We have directions and a parking map here on our Location page. We’re hard to miss if you come from the west, first check for parking in the big lot to our east. See that big truck? That’s Luv Me Tendersthey have fabulous chicken tenders but this Saturday, you might want to try their legendary Shorty Mac! Why short ribs on a chicken menu? Well, it’s a blast from the past – come ask me at market.
In front of the former Gen’s Antiques (now open at 373 W. 19th) you’ll find Texas Beer Bus, and they do exactly what their name implies, takes you on tours of breweries, wineries and distilleries.You can buy tickets right here and get your questions answered. They are always super cool and fun people! From their website –
Texas Beer Bus Tours are a fun and safe way to experience craft beer breweries, whiskey/vodka/rum distilleries, and wineries. We love craft beer and want to teach the world about it while exploring different breweries in a fun and safe way.
That’s Edie with the big laugh and Jon to her right motioning me to put the camera away. (I really have no idea, but it looks that way!)
They own Water 2 Wine, a winery here in town, and though they have many fine selections they can only legally sample and sell wine made from Texas grown grapes. That’s how they can be in our little dry section of the city. My fav is the port, that’ll keep you warm while you shop! Purchase by the glass or take home a bottle or 6! Find out more on their website: www.water2wine.com
MUSIC!
Under the bright yellow tent at 2pm – The Tomes will perform! Their style is best described as a combo of acoustic, soul and rock. The members are all professional musicians and work for organizations like the Houston Symphony and Rice Orchestra. Now that is cool – and if you hadn’t guessed by their name, their lyrics might be on the weighty side. (I’m crack myself up LOL). Head over to our music page here, to preview their music.
BullsEye Storage is our music sponsor. Got stuff? Let them keep it out of the way for ya!
TIP: bring a lawn chair.
The Tomes
BABY, WE HAVE ART!
Original, fresh, modern, hip, cool, amazing, spiritual, life changing and most importantly collectable!
EVERY artist is posted on The Artist Roster each month. When you get to the page you’ll see a featured image and the artist’s name (or their business name) under it. Click either and you’ll go directly to that artist’s page and where there are MORE photos, a description of the work, bio on some and web and contact info. Below is a random sampling of this months show.
Click the image to see Saturday’s artist roster!
WALKING IN …
When you get to the back … (continue below video)
You will see this tent – THAT is an empty tent – but as you approach it Saturday, you will see a friendly person, talking about beer and handing out small samples. They are delicious.
MeetTown in City Brewing Company!
In fact, you should head over to the brewery after the market! Get directions via their Facebook page here.
If you haven’t seen Nancy’s art, she creates amazing decorative and functional art out of tin cans. For this art show at Town in City, she has created a fabulous collection of animal head trophies! They are hilarious! Here is a pic I snapped at a recent visit. The brewery taproom is open Wed-Sunday.
Friday, January 13 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Town in City Brewing Company
1125 W Cavalcade St, Houston Heights, Texas 77009
Join us on Facebook! Just click the image. Here is a pic from the market in December 2016!
THANK YOU REAL ALE BREWING CO.!
Each month Real Ale Brewing Co. gives me beer, to give to the artists. And I do! Below are some pics from a month or two back of artists enjoying some delicious Real Ale WHITE.
This month artists, we’ve got their Coffee Porter made with beans roasted by Katz Coffee! A local outfit. Cool! That should keep us warm! Visit Real Ale on Facebook.
The Market at Sawyer Yards debuted Saturday in the spring of 2016and continues 2nd Saturdays. This curated market hosts a mix of artist mediums with a focus on folk art, the maker is the seller & artisan crafts including packaged specialty foods.
Surrounded by the highest concentration of working artists in all of Texas, a select number of fine artists from The Silos at Sawyer Yards, Winter, Spring and Silver Street Studios will also participate. The Washington Avenue Arts District hosts this eclectic Saturday market produced by Mitch Cohen of First Saturday Arts Market.
In front of the former 
The Market at Sawyer Yards debuted Saturday in the spring of 2016 and continues 2nd Saturdays. This curated market hosts a mix of artist mediums with a focus on folk art, the maker is the seller & artisan crafts including packaged specialty foods.
