Phoenix artists will gather to sell their products at AZ Share That You Care to raise money for the I Have a Name Project Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. at MonOrchid.
The event will be hosted by Pineapple Triangle, an organization created by Maggie McGrath in 2014 as a way of supporting local artists and charities, according to the organization’s website. The I Have a Name Project, created by artist Jon Linton, aims to end homelessness in Phoenix and is currently raising funds to create a mural on the outside walls of MonOrchid on Roosevelt Street near Third Street.
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“I was approached by the IHAN organization and MonOrchid the venue, and the story behind IHAN was so perfect,” McGrath said. “I wanted to do everything I could to bring more awareness, and putting together a collaborative market just made sense.”
AZ Share That You Care will follow the same type of structure it has in the past, including an assortment of music, work by local artists and culinary delights from a Phoenix-area food truck. Admission is $5 or a donation of five hygienic items.
Related: Artists and vendors congregate for a cause at AZ Share That You Care flea-market event
This will be the third market hosted by Pineapple Triangle. Although McGrath said she does not consider herself an artist, being around artists and creating these events allows her to tap into her artistic side.
“I love to meet new artists and hear their story,” McGrath said. “In hearing their story I am inspired.”
Rachel Eskandari is the artist behind Pink Puddle Studio, an Etsy store that offers a mix of handmade items and a scheduled vendor at the event. Eskandari said she loves meeting other local vendors and seeing the community come together to support local businesses.
“This particular market is to give back to the community, which makes it an even more rewarding experience,” Eskandari said.
Other vendors said they feel the same way, such as Raelynn Pomichter, co-founder of local clothing company Pink Cheeky, which has been a participant in Pineapple Triangle events in the past.
“For me, I love connecting with other local creatives and seeing what they have come up with,” Pomichter said. “I try to buy local when I can, so it’s a win-win for doing the market because I also usually do a little shopping as well.”
Pineapple Triangle is planning on having its fourth event in June. One of the organization’s goals is to make the market more interactive. A previous event in October 2014 attracted 55 vendors and about 300 customers.
“I have some ideas in the works, but we will see,” McGrath said. “I am also working on coming up with products to sell in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go back to the artists. I want to bring things full circle; the artists give back and I want to give back to them.”
Contact the reporter at catherineann.nolen@asu.edu
