Fenton Street Market

Vendor Interview: RichAnt Art

Megan Moriarty — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:55:29 +0000

Day Dreamer by RichAnt Art

While we are waiting for news from Montgomery County about our proposal to continue the market on Veterans Plaza, we caught up with one of FSM’s talented vendors: RichAnt Art.

RichAnt is the artistic outlet for Antwanyce Richardson, a self-taught painter. In celebration of Black History Month, RichAnt is part of a three woman art show at the Artistic Visions Gallery in the Huntington Community Center. The opening reception is Saturday, February 18th, from 7-9pm. Go check out her work there!

When did you start painting and what is your inspiration?

Believe it or not I just started painting in 2008 as a way to organically deal with some very troubling times I was going through. My inspiration comes from all things beautiful, fashion, make up, nature, life… even when Life isn’t going so good there is underlining beauty I find poetic. I paint mostly figurative women in my work because I love being a woman and feminine yet very much independent.

How has selling at FSM helped you build your business?

FSM has been very helpful in building my business. I have sold more than half my original art inventory. In turn those collectors have contacted me about doing commissioned pieces. They have even referred me to their family and friends.

What are your plans for your business and art?

My plans are to become an artist who has fans and collectors around the globe. I’d like to become featured in art mags like Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose to name a few. I also want to start to license some of my art as well and teach a few workshops. Mainly I just want to earn a decent honest living if I so choose too just a visual artist.

What are some things FSM may not not know about you?

I have two teenage children: a daughter in her senior year and a son in his freshman year. I am a part-time hair stylist that specializes in hair color and weave extentions. I read cookbooks like novels. I’m a Libra and my favorite color is purple (actually it’s an obsession). I try to buy and or grow all organic when possible but I love McDonald’s filet of fish and french fries!

Thanks, Antwanyce! We look forward to seeing your new work on display at FSM this spring!

Proposal Submission

Megan Moriarty — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:27:59 +0000

FSM's proposal submission - all 5 copies!

On January 30th, the FSM team submitted its proposal to Montgomery County in response to its solicitation for a vendor to run a weekly market at Veterans Plaza for 2012-2014. You can read more about this RFP and County process in this Gazette article.

Thanks to all the community members, vendors, sponsors, and partners that helped us prepare the proposal! It was a labor of love.

As soon as we have any news from the County, we will post an update here on the website and to our Facebook and Twitter.

New Developments

Megan Moriarty — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:47:11 +0000

Fenton Street Market is pleased to announce the next phase of its development!

After three years of tireless effort to launch and sustain the community market, founder Hannah McCann has turned over day-to-day management to Megan Moriarty. As of January 1, 2012, Megan took over as Market Manager and assumed majority control of the Benefit Corporation. Hannah retains a minority shareholder position and will actively support the market as a consultant and Advisory Board member. “This is an exciting moment for Fenton Street Market,” Hannah explains, “Megan was the first vendor to sign up when the market started in 2009, and she’s been a trusted advisor during our formative years. She has the energy and vision to take the market to the next level while staying true to our roots in the community.”

For several months, Megan has been leading the effort to respond to Montgomery County’s amended Request for Proposal for a market operator on Veteran’s Plaza for 2012-2014. A resident of downtown Silver Spring, Megan joined the market team in July 2011, bringing a strong background in community organizing and first-hand experience as a vendor. She is joined by Assistant Manager Jessica Blaszczak, who also runs the Balston Arts & Crafts Market, and On-Site Manager Mike O’Brien, a local artist who exhibits at the market. Former Market Manager Debbie Lee, who runs Handmade Mart, will be joining the Advisory Board. “I am excited to be leading such a talented team” says Megan, “and am looking forward to the challenge of responding to the County’s RFP.”

Unexpected Surprises

Jessica — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:37:22 +0000

Welcome to the world of Unexpected Surprises! Cute, affordable, fun, unique, Waldorf-inspired wooden toys made just inside the nation’s capital by master craftsmen, Patrick Donovan.

Each handmade toy is made with love, wood, glue, and AP approved non-toxic water based acrylic paints right here in the DC area. Buy one at the Fenton Street Market THIS Saturday and watch how it inspires the imagination of the child you give it to.

60bugs & Red Table Press

Jessica — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:45:29 +0000

You know, the Fenton Street Market is thankful for all of its amazing vendors. But, let’s be honest. None of this coolness would be possible if it wasn’t for the driving force behind the market — the market managers! And did you know, that two of FSM managers are also artists themselves, and will be displaying at the final market of the season this Saturday?

Yep.

Debbie Lee is the FSM manager extraordinaire … and also a music lover, crafter and mom with a love for all things DIY. When she’s not working hard behind the scenes of the Fenton Street Market, she is busy designing fabric goodies for her craft business, 60bugs.

And, not only is Mike O’Brien the onsite manager, he is also the founder of Red Table Press. An artist and illustrator, Mike brings his screen-printed masterpieces to the market every week. And this last show is no different, except that the managers will be sharing a booth!

So, catch both 60bugs and Red Table Press at the FINAL Fenton Street Market of the season, this Saturday, November 12th. See you there!

The 3rd Annual College & Career Fair

Jessica — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:12:23 +0000

This Saturday, November 5th, Congresswoman Edwards is hosting the 3rd Annual College and Career Fair in the Silver Spring Civic Center. From 8:30 am – 1:00 pm, you can learn more about financial aid resources, post-secondary education, career options, how to write better cover letters and much more! Visit www.donnaedwards.house.gov or call 301-562-7960 for more information.

There’s always something cool going on in Silver Spring, isn’t there?

Music @ the Market: Painted Trillium

Chantelle Stewart — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:10:43 +0000

We are close to the end of our entertainment season at the market! Thanks to all of the bands and acts who’ve participated with us thus far, and we hope to see your careers grow around the area in the near future! Next up is Painted Trillium.

Painted Trillium is a three member band; Kristin Rebecca, Rob Meyer and Susan Meyer. They have performed throughout the Maryland area. They emphasize Celtic songs and tunes as well as folk music. Kristin Rebecca also performs her original songs.

Join us November 5th, 2011 @ 12:30 pm beneath the music tent, as we host the folksy artists Painted Trillium

www.paintedtrillium.com

Pumpkin Mini-Donuts

Megan Moriarty — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:04:51 +0000

At the Fenton Street Market, we know it’s really fall when Miguel’s Magnificent Mini-Donuts starts selling pumpkin mini-donuts and hot apple cider! These flavors mark the transition from hot summer days at the market to chillier mornings and falling leaves.

We tried some of the donuts last week and they were delicious! But, you have been warned: they went fast, so make sure you come early to snag some. And to warm you up, Miguel and his team will be serving warm apple cider. Come by this Saturday to try out these fall favorites.

Jammy Jams

Megan Moriarty — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:08:49 +0000

Jammy Jams will be rocking the market this Saturday! Stop by to pick up their lullaby renditions of popular songs by Lady Gaga, The Beastie Boys, Eminem, The Fray and many more. Jammy Jams delivers your favorite adult songs in a relaxing format for your kids to enjoy as they drift off to sleep.

Soothing sounds of vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, piano, blocks and more are performed and arranged by Tim Phillips and Jeff Bradford. Jammy Jams was born in 2010 after Jeff spent many a late night up with his infant son and was inspired to create arrangements of his favorite songs that would soothe his son.

Stop by the market this week and hear a sample of their current releases:
Once Upon A Rhyme: Lullaby Rendition of Hip-Hop Classics; Goo Goo Gaga: Lullaby Rendition of Lady Gaga Hits; Once Upon This Rock: Lullaby Rendition of Christian Rock Hits.

Where are the trains?

Hannah — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:30:56 +0000

The question everyone is asking on Saturdays: Where’s Chris? Where are the trains? We miss him too, but the rails are a callin’! Chris Benjamin, the lead conductor of Riverdale Model Train Club, has been working a lot lately. That’s a familiar excuse in Washington, but in Chris’s case, it’s an inspiring story of someone following his dream. Chris’s day job is building a scale model of the Dulles rail project that architects and engineers will use to fine-tune their plans. And even more exciting, Chris has just been accepted to CSX school! He’ll be leaving for Florida after New Year’s to learn how to drive and manage a freight train. Eventually his studies will bring him back to Baltimore, so there’s a chance that Chris could still be making appearances at the Fenton Street Market next year (if we come back to Veterans Plaza). Chris has been a champion of the market since our first shows in 2009, and he inspires young and old alike with his dedication and enthusiasm for trains. He says the passion started when he was two years old. He still remembers his toy MARC train, and the moment when his father took him to the train station to see the real thing. “Wait a minute, that’s what I got!” he remembers thinking. Every dollar from Christmas and birthdays thereafter has gone to Chris recreating what he’s seen on the rails.