I am so excited to be participating in several events, fundraisers, and markets in my community this holiday season! I love having the opportunity to participate in these events as an event photographer, as a vendor with my line of printed items, or even just as an attendee. These events are not only showcasing the work of local artisans and providing local options for holiday shopping from neighborhood businesses, but they are also bringing people together and giving back to the community. If you find that holiday cheer is in short supply during Chicago’s traditional 6-month winter, witnessing the amazing work that so many Chicago organizations and businesses do on a daily basis and doing something nice for others can bring a little cheer to those negative degree days.
There are multiple holiday markets, bazaars, and fundraisers happening each weekend in December, and I’ll be involved with the following three (so far!). Shop local this year and support local businesses and vendors. Opting for handmade and local makes a huge difference to the people offering these items and services, and boosts the local community and economy so these events can keep happening!
Saturday, December 5th: Waters’ Craft Market
Waters Elementary School
4540 N. Campbell Street, Chicago IL, 60625
Free and open to the public, RSVP on Facebook
The Waters’ Craft Market supports the students of Waters Elementary, a Chicago neighborhood public arts magnet school. The Waters’ market brings food, fun, and holiday shopping to the school community and Lincoln Square/Ravenswood neighborhoods. I will be bringing prints, greeting cards, holiday greeting cards, magnets, zines, and cookbooks to my table, and I’m looking forward to becoming involved with the Waters community!
Thursday, December 10th: Holiday Cocktail Party for Trio Animal Foundation
Amour de la Terre
130 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, Illinois 60301
This is a ticketed event. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite, then RSVP on Facebook
The Holiday Cocktail Party for Trio Animal Foundation is presented by Ashley Gilday and Alisha of Amour de la Terre. I worked with Ashley to photograph her Brunch by Blog event earlier this year, and I will be photographing this event as well. Join a small group (attendance is capped at 30 people) for a night of wine, cheese, and chocolate to benefit the animals at Oak Park’s eco-friendly, vegan, and ethically-produced shoe and accessory boutique, Amour de la Terre. 100% of the proceeds from the night will go to Trio Animal Rescue, and there will be a raffle that includes prizes from VAUTE, Upton’s Breakroom, Yoga Trek, Be Leaf Restaurant, Starship Salon, and more!
Sunday, December 20th: Vegan Vortex Holiday Market
LAMA Chicago HQ
3519 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647
Free and open to the public, RSVP on Facebook
Vegan Vortex is a seasonal market that brings pastry, confections, arts and crafts, vintage, and other handmade vendors to the Latin American Motorcycle Association’s HQ in Logan Square for a day of shopping, music, treats, and activities. This unlikely pairing brings several communities together, which is a wonderful thing! While vendors have agreed to only bring 100% vegan and cruelty-free items to the market, anyone and everyone is welcome at Vegan Vortex. Get your last-minute holiday shopping done and support local businesses and artisans (win-win!). Vegan Vortex is kid-friendly and offers several activities for the little ones such as a craft table, facepainting, and all the sweets you can eat.
I will be bringing cookbooks, zines, prints, greeting cards, and gifts!
Hope to see you at these events, or at one of the many holiday events happening throughout November and December!
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