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CHICAGO— Navy Pier is honored to continue providing access for entrepreneurs to sell their products through the Neighborhood Artisan Market, which showcases creative talent found across Chicago and its neighborhoods. Visitors can experience upcoming Neighborhood Artisan Markets from Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18 (Woodlawn Community) as well as Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 25 (Greater Grand Crossing Community) during normal Navy Pier operating hours.
At the Neighborhood Artisan Market, guests can meet local Chicago artists, see their crafts and learn their stories. The market is planned in conjunction with local neighborhood business groups and the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs. The program provides a way to learn about Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods and the variety of small business owners found across the area. Since July 8, 2022, ten total markets have taken place within the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion at Navy Pier, featuring vendors from the Woodlawn, Hegewisch, Loop, Humboldt, Lake Roscoe Village, North Park and Greater Grand Crossing communities.
“Navy Pier is proud of the opportunities we provide entrepreneurs who have great success stories to share about their experiences as full-time partners or vendors at the pop-up artisan markets that represent the flavor of individual neighborhoods,” said Navy Pier President and CEO, Marilynn Gardner. “We’re especially proud of our expanding incubator for women and minority owned businesses and encourage all guests visiting the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion to engage with these entrepreneurs who have transformed their passions into careers.”
“The beautiful thing about Navy Pier is you meet people from all over the country and all over the world and you see there are so many good people out there who embrace diversity and understand that diversity is the spice of life,” said market vendor and owner of BWYB Products, Markeyon Wallock.
“It’s a true blessing [to sell art at Navy Pier],” said market vendor and artist, Robin Monique Rios. “I’ve seen every struggle that artists can have. And one of the main things is getting into shows where we can be seen. Right now I don’t have an outside income, so to have a space where I can set up a table and at least get my name out there more and meet people means a lot to me.”
Note: All artists and dates are subject to change.
Click here for images of vendors at Navy Pier’s Neighborhood Artisan Market.
About Navy Pier
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more.
The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2021, Navy Pier continued to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to continue providing free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of the organization’s post-pandemic revival and free public programming. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.