Monday, September 20, 2010

Call To Artists


Our market hasn't closed for the season yet, so we're still looking for artist, crafters, farmers, traders and others to vend at our market. Contact Spencer for details at 503-803-2699.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mural Project

Call To All Artists Interested In A Mural And Market Project

Chris Haberman Mural Panel
We are installing a wall of 4’ x 8’ art panels, created by Portland artists, around the outside of the Boise-Eliot Outdoor Markets. Once all the panels are painted and installed, our “Magic Box” will be in place, and then we auction off the panels. Half the proceeds from the auction price go to the artist, and half go to the market, with the Market investing half its share to a mural project we’re launching in the neighborhood.

Are You An Artist?

We still have panels available for YOUR work! Send an e-mail to boiseeliotmarkets@gmail.com.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Our Market In The Press



Boise-Eliot Outdoor Market Launches Mississippi Mural Project
The beginnings of the magic box around the market

A mural by Andrey Nedashkovskiy greets shoppers at Boise-Eliot Outdoor Market

A wall-like structure is materializing around what has long been a glaring vacant block on North Fremont between Williams and Vancouver. It’s not the kind of wall you would expect. There’s no barbed wire fence or unfinished plywood mounted here to prevent loitering or other unwanted activity. Wrapping around the corner of Williams and Fremont are shoulder-high panels depicting a vibrant spectrum of images, ranging from colorful cityscapes, graffiti-inspired neighborhood portraits, fantastical sea creatures, a winged heart flying across a brilliant blue sky and an East-meets-West depiction of a dragon targeted by a bow-wielding cherub.

Economic Opportunity and Neighborhood Prosperity

This emerging art wall is appearing piece by piece as each week new 4 by 8 foot panels painted by local artists are erected along the property’s border. The beginning stage of the Mississippi Mural Project, this outdoor art installation is inspired and fueled by the shared vision of stonemason and recent City Council candidate Spencer Burton and artist/activist Rahsaan Muhammad. The murals, each painted by a different artist, are the pieces of what they envision as a “Magic Box” to bring attention to the newly-established Boise-Eliot Outdoor Market, provide exposure and income to local artists and raise funds for a neighborhood mural project.


To get involved in the Mississippi Mural Project, contact Spencer Burton boiseeliotmarkets@gmail.com or 503.803.2699. To learn more about the project and the Boise-Eliot Outdoor Market, visit the web site: www.boise-eliotmarkets.com

Continue Reading This Article Here

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A Fledgling Outdoor Market Grows Roots In Boise-Eliot Neighborhood, Helps Community Make Extra Income In Hard Times


marketone.JPGSergey Velikoretskikh selects potatoes for a customer from his booth at the Boise- Eliot market from produce grown at his family's farm, Great River Farms.

One by one, they come to the vacant lot on the corner of North Fremont Street and Williams Avenue to pitch their wares. Like merchants in a village square, each brings something handmade or homegrown, albeit with a contemporary DIY Portland twist.

One man sells organic eggs and green coffee beans. Another hawks clothing his niece made and wood figurines carved by his nephew. A woman offers knitted caps, black beans and rice, and sweet potato pie. Another woman sells gluten-free peanut butter-cup brownies alongside a woman trading in incense and $3 rings.

It may not be bartering with the blacksmith and cobbler, but the new Boise-Eliot Outdoor Markets hopes an old business model will bring extra income to modern-day folks suffering in a dire economy.

"We want to create a place where community and commerce come together," said market founder Spencer Burton. "Local people, local products. That's our line."

The idea came from Burton and another resident, business partner Rahsaan Muhammad, who saw the community's need -- as well as a vacant lot that once housed a tire company and was set for condo construction until the economy tanked. They initially planned to operate a nonprofit market but established it as a business to get it off the ground quickly, Burton said.

Continue Reading This Article Here

About The Boise-Eliot Neighborhood

The Boise neighborhood is sometimes referred to as "Boise-Eliot" is located on the east side of the Willamette River. It is bordered by the Overlook, Humboldt, King and Eliot neighborhoods in the increasingly hip and popular North Portland. Boise is in a great location for commuting to downtown Portland and is conveniently close to other major Portland neighborhoods such as Concordia (Alberta Arts) and Irvington.

Major freeway ramps located nearby include I-5 and I-84. Drive over the Fremont, Steel or Broadway bridges to get downtown or to the Pearl District, and Old Town/Chinatown in mere minutes. The "MAX" light rail located on Interstate is only minutes away on foot. Downtown by bicycle is about 25 minutes.

Portland's Boise-Eliot neighborhood is one of the most unique and most popular Portland neighborhoods. Most locals know Boise-Eliot by a few names: Williams Avenue and Mississippi Avenue. While technically part of the same neighborhood(s) proper, these two streets have truly developed their own unique personality and feel with respect to the independent businesses that line their streets.

Prepare yourself for a mixed brew of all things old and nouveau. Boise is truly the phoenix rising from the ashes. An unknown to most just a handful of years ago, the streets are now alive with local shops and foot traffic. Modest homes, kids on bikes and dog walkers abound in this funky and urban self-sustaining neighborhood. You’ll feel right at home as you get to know the many independently owned coffee houses, pubs, music venues, nurseries and zesty local restaurants each boasting an individual flair.

The Mississippi Ave neighborhood in Portland can probably best be described as young, urban and hip. The streets are busied with bike traffic, foot-traffic and buses cruising by every few minutes. This area is a hot-spot for the 20-30ish Portland crowd looking for easy access to downtown. Mississippi has just about everything the average urbanite could need: nearly a dozen great restaurants, great (some nationally famous) coffee shops, a recording studio and live music hall, several bars and pubs and a lot of retail and boutique shops, all independently owned. A few standouts on the street are Mississippi Studios, Lovely Hula Hands, The Crow Bar, Amnesia Brewing, Gravy, Equinox, Por Que No?!, The Fresh Pot, Lorenzo's, Pistils Nursery and Miss Delta. This is a thriving entrepreneurial district- you won't find a Starbucks here and locals will see to it that you don't.

Just a few minutes away, Williams Avenue offers even more independent retail and boutiques. Standouts are Lompoc's 5Q (Fifth Quarter), Pix Patisserie and Ristretto Roasters.

Portland Community College is a major presence in the Mississippi Ave area and many residents are also students or faculty. Additionally, head about five minutes north to Killingsworth Street for more really great local businesses to choose from such as Saraveza (a beer bottle shop), The Red E Cafe, E'njoni Ethiopian Cafe and CoffeeHouse-Five. Down the road on Interstate is a New Seasons Market which is a local area shopping staple and employer.

Overall, this is a great urban Portland neighborhood. Boise-Eliot is centrally located and totally self-sustaining. Rebirth, indie, hipsters, organic, welcoming, booming. Dog-friendly people and smiling faces. Bikes and scooters are more widely accepted than cars. The neighborhood prizes diversity, independence and entrepreneurialism. Locals know each other and support their local businesses. A mix of renters and owners, singletons and families. Everyone is busy doing something interesting.

(This post is excerpted from portlandneigborhood.com. Copyright 2005-2009 portlandneighborhood.com)

Welcome

Hi everybody. Welcome to the brand new, official site of the Boise-Eliot Markets. Your one stop place to shop, trade, and buy everything from produce to art.

The overall goal of the Boise Eliot Market is to create a community market - a place for neighbors to meet, enjoy and support a local market exchange. The multicultural neighborhood-based market provides an outlet for farmers, artists and performers to share their various “arts” and make a supplemental income, as well as support our neighbors while celebrating community and creating abundance together.