The York River Art Market is back!
After having to cancel all their in-person events last year due to the pandemic, the York River Art Market (YRAM) is making a triumphant return to the Dame Judi Dench Walk.
A staple of summertime in York, the YRAM will be showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists over 10 events.
The first market will take place Saturday 26 June at 10:30am to 5:30pm. The rest of the dates for this years YRAM are 3, 24, 25, 31 July and 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 August.
The markets are free to browse and are this year raising funds for York Rescue Boat.
YorkMix spoke with Charlotte Dawson, organiser of YRAM, to tell us more about the event.
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Q&A with Charlotte Dawson
How does it feel for the York River Art Market to be back this year?
It feels great to be welcoming artists and visitors back to York River Art Market (YRAM) this summer. YRAM is such a beautiful addition to the city in the summertime so it feels really positive to be able to be back and share these ten x events with York’s residents and visitors.
Have you had to make any adjustments due to Covid?
The pitch spaces are all well spaced so artists can be socially distanced. Artists are all preparing to be as ‘Covid adjusted’ as they can be. One example is hand sanitiser for any customers wanting to handle goods and card payments encouraged where possible.
How did the pandemic affect the York River Art Market, and how did you adapt?
2020’s events were all cancelled and I decided to curate a series of online winter events called #YRAMATHOME. This was a great experience from which I learnt a lot but it doesn’t beat the real thing. I love the physical art markets, the atmosphere is so creative and relaxing.
How important is it to support our artists right now?
One of my main passions is creating access to the arts for all. I feel honoured to be able to offer a platform for so many emerging and established artists each year. It saddened me to see so many events (including YRAM) have to be cancelled last year, so I think this year it’s massively important to purchase from indie artists when and where possible over larger chains. Even just following an artist’s Instagram page and leaving a nice comment or buying something as small as a card is helpful.
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What can visitors expect from the York River Art Market this year?
The gentle and relaxing hum of creativity with artists lined along the railings on Dame Judi Dench Walk, nestled behind the beautiful Museum Gardens. Visitors can expect a different variety of artists at each of the ten x events. So there is always a reason to visit each event and something for everyone’s taste and budget.
What kind of artwork will be on display?
This year YRAM welcomes a variety of both emerging and established artists. Expect a broad spectrum of mediums from landscape paintings, abstract paintings, pet portraits, ink drawings, cards and prints, jewellery, glass, mosaic, textiles, clothing, artisan beauty products and candles, wood work, metal work and more.
What do you hope visitors will come away from the York River Art Market feeling?
I hope visitors and residents alike can come away from YRAM feeling like they have experienced something a little different and special. That they were able to take a moment from their busy lives to relax and soak up the wonderful city centre riverside location whilst browsing the artists work at a leisurely pace.
Purchasing something directly from the artist will leave you feeling good about knowing where that special item came from having met the person who lovingly made it. There is something so intimate about buying directly from the artist and of course you will be supporting a small creative business which always feels good.
I do hope that artists and visitors alike will come away feeling happy to have experienced these wonderful creative events and having soaked up the beautiful atmosphere.