Dave Summmers of Elf Mountain Leather is our featured artist for June. His interview is out in Locals Guide. Look for it on news-stands now.
For 29 years the Lithia Artisans Market has called Calle Guanajuato our home. What a lot of people don’t realize about the quaint little alleyway behind the plaza, along Ashland Creek, is the reason for the name “Calle Guanajuato”.
The name is in honor of Ashland’s sister-city, Guanajuato, Mexico. Like Ashland, Guanajuato is a university city with a bustling student population. Southern Oregon University and the University of Guanajuato have a student exchange program that benefits the student body of both universities, helping foster a more peaceful world through cultural and academic exchange.
Karina Mendoza-Wittke at the orphanage in Guanajuato back in 2003.
The Lithia Artisans Market has a long history with our sister city. In the past, when the economy was chugging along at a little better pace, the artisans were able to support and all girl orphanage in Guanajuato. Over the years we donated over $10,000 to help the orphanage with general expenses (food, clothing, etc.). I personally presented the check to the sisters at the orphanage on numerous occasions, and was able to meet the girls who range in age from 5-18. Many of these two dozen girls come from abusive homes, or no homes at all. The charity of the Lithia Artisans Market and like philanthropists is what keeps the orphanage open, and helps the girls get a proper education and fulfill basic needs. Every one of you who are market members should feel proud of our charity throughout the years.
Artist and past member of Lithia Artisans Market, Sandra Scott being swarmed with hugs at the Guanajuato orphanage back in 2003.
We have 40 artisans showing this coming weekend, and the forecast is still looking good. It is a full house once again. We have just come through our best April on record and our second best May. Thanks to all you wonderfully creative folks for helping our little marketplace thrive. I am very excited about the possibilities as we reach the mid-point of 2012.
The music schedule for the weekend is once again stellar with two brand new acts gracing our stage. Sunday is all about new energy as Antonio Melendez will be playing his original tunes from 11:30-1:30. This guy is multi-talented and plays regularly with a band in Grants Pass called “The Illies”. Also on Sunday we have a special guest appearance from a band out of Fresno, California. “Before Perils” is a gypsy jam band with a classical edge featuring the dual guitar work of brothers Jon and Ben Napoles, the violin of Lianna Stuart, and the Cajon of Edson Lopez. This is a first time performance by this band at Lithia Artisans, and I am super stoked to check them out!
Antonio Melendez plays Sunday, June 10, from 11:30-1:30 at Lithia Artisans Market.
Music Schedule
Saturday, June 9
11:30-1:30 Rod Petrone
3:00-5:00 Dave & Gabe Young
Sunday, June 10
11:30-1:30 Antonio Melendez
3:00- 5:00 Before Perils