Are you looking for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts that, as a bonus, support local artists? The Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street on Saturday has you covered. Now in its 12th year, this annual holiday print sale features more than 100 artists selling their artwork at over two dozen businesses and venues up and down Cherokee Street. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is a great way to tackle your holiday shopping list while enjoying the many hidden gems of this diverse community. Here are just a few artists and venues to check out.
“This is my seventh year selling at the bazaar, and it’s one of my favorite events all year,” says James Osterberg, local artist and arts educator. “The event is almost entirely geared toward handmade prints by local printmakers. For shoppers, prints are an affordable way to buy original art, and the business owners of Cherokee get to open their neighborhood and workplaces to many folks who might not usually venture to that part of the city.” Osterberg's work is based in pop culture and whimsy, and you can check out his booth at Screwed Arts Collective.
Courtesy of James Osterberg
For some artists like Valeria Rodriguez of Shine in All Shades, it’s their first year selling in the bazaar. “I haven’t experienced such a diverse event in the art and print space—diverse in talent and cultural representation—like I have enjoyed at the Cherokee Print Bazaar," she says. "As a creative with such a unique brand, I knew I had to represent for women, creatives, and women of color this year.” Rodriguez’s artwork, which includes adult coloring books celebrating women of color, will be stationed at Teatopia.
Courtesy of Valeria Rodriguez
If you’re looking for something other than works on paper, visit Macarena Sotelo Bieg of Creations by Francisca at El Chico Bakery. She puts her colorful designs on everything from shoes to skateboards and more. As Shaheera Bhutto, coordinator of the event says: “This is one of the largest events that supports artists and independent businesses in St. Louis. It gives people from all over the city an opportunity to experience the community and creative culture of Cherokee Street.”
Courtesy of Macarena Sotelo Bieg
On Saturday, don’t forget to pick up your map of the event at any participating venue. Each location and artist will have a personalized stamp, and the first five shoppers to collect 30 stamps wins a prize. There are also complementary tote bags and buttons available to shoppers from participating artists.
