Jim and Carol Young of “Hat People” and many more of our artisan family are back at Lithia Artisans Market after last weekend at Oregon Country Fair.
Welcome back home all you wayward artisans who made their way to Oregon Country Fair last weekend. We have a full house of 40 artists and artisans showing this weekend at Ashland’s original outdoor art and craft marketplace, the Lithia Artisans Market. The quality of craftsmanship at this market is superb. I am honored to be part of our Art-Walk along Ashland Creek, in downtown Ashland, Oregon.
The market is located along Ashland Creek, at the back-side of the historic buildings which surround the present day plaza of Ashland, Oregon. Before the coming of the Pioneers in the mid-1800’s, the exact location of the plaza, and coincidentally the Lithia Artisans Market, was a gathering spot, a village for Shasta Indians who called this part of the Rogue Valley their home. You can easily imagine blankets filled with gathered plants, herbs, and wild vegetables, beaver pelts, deer hides, baskets, and other items used in the daily lives of these ancient ancestors of Ashland Creek.
Marcus Scott of “The Stone Bead” displays hand-carved stone beads that appear as though they could have been created hundreds of years ago.
These visions of an ancient trading center, at the site of our present day Lithia Artisans Market, resonate in my soul. It just feels right to be a modern day artisan trading my wares in a sacred location. Hand-cut stone beads, clothing, mugs, baskets, leather belts, and much more are now traded in the same location our Shasta Indian ancestors occupied in the not so distant past. Ancient footprints made an imprint here hundreds, if not thousands, of years before the brick, mortar, and concrete we know today. We should all feel deep respect for the space we call home every weekend.
Support local art and craft, it makes the circle complete. Keep peace in your hearts.
Gitano del Norte plays Sunday afternoon, July 22, from 3:00-5:00. Wonderful flamenco style acoustic guitar. Hat People hats in the background.
Music Schedule
Saturday, July 21
11:30-1:30 Cyd Smith
3:00-5:00 Cole Cullen w/ Steve Elmer
Sunday, July 22
11:30-1:30 Doug Warner
3:00-5:00 Gitano del Norte