2023 Art Fair & Bazaar
Our 64th Annual Holiday Art Fair and Bazaar took place on December 1 and 2, 2023. This is an archive page for reference - updated info about the 2024 Art Fair & Bazaar will be posted here later this year!
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Our bright, vaulted ceiling Meeting Room will be filled with booths of local artists and artisans, displaying and selling their work. The rest of our building will be bustling with the many offerings of the Bazaar, with proceeds supporting our church: The Cookie Cruise and Gourmet Galaxy, Book Sale, White Elephant Sale, the UUnique Café, and booths of handmade goods run by our Social Justice Task Forces. Two days of delicious food, unexpected treasures, and holiday cheer for all.
Friday Lasagna Dinner: Delicious homemade vegetarian lasagna, salad, and garlic bread will be served in Fellowship Hall on Friday, December 1st, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All are welcome! Early Bird tickets are $12 - order them online here before Nov. 27. Price for the lasagna dinner at the bazaar is $15.
This year's Art Fair participants:
- David & Jenni Orr, Blue Aster Studio - Printmaking
- Larry & Bert McConnell - Woodworking
- Jane Gantz - Watercolor & Tote Bags
- Irina Shishova - Acrylics, Watercolor & Color Paper
- Kate Ellis - Fiber Arts
- Lacye Poor - Glass Fused
- Gail Bridges-Rea - Glass
- Carol Hedin - Mixed Media
- Sue Westhues - Gourds with other mediums
- Krista August - Watercolor & Oil
- Leah Tannen - Jewelry: silver, copper, wood, mixed
- Charlene Marsh - Oil Painting & Yoga Mats
- Chizuko Johnson - Clay
- Maureen Pirog - Glass
- Katya Alexeeva - Oil painting
- Wendy Myers-Meyer - Metal smithed Jewelry
- Shiree Woodard - Printmaking
- Andrew Woodard - Mixed Media, Wood & 3D Printing
- Marc Tschida - Woodworking
- Aundi Wilson - Jewelry & Stained Glass
Volunteer at this year's event!
Sign Up Here
Or, if you prefer to sign up in person, look for the helpful person with a sign up sheet in Fellowship Hall after Sunday services in November.
There are many moving parts to the Art Fair & Bazaar, and we couldn't do it without a mighty and dedicated team of volunteers. Our steering committee members have been organizing the magic behind the scenes, and now it's your turn - we need help setting up in the week leading up to the big event, and of course we need friendly, helpful people to work shifts during the two days of the Bazaar, Dec 1 and 2.
See below for more ways to contribute!
Volunteer Bakers Needed
Baked items for the Bazaar can be made ahead and frozen. Cookies for the Cookie Cruise, and breads and other gourmet treats for the Gourmet Galaxy booth are great sellers - be thinking about what you can make and freeze. Details below.
Persimmon Puddings and More
Bakers are needed to make persimmon pudding, cookies, and other gourmet treats for sale at the Bazaar - we will provide free persimmons for your baking! Contact Marcia Hart for persimmon pulp.
Call for Cookies!
The Bazaar Cookie Cruise is under sail! It's not too early to climb aboard to bake and freeze the confections that our Bazaar customers love. All types are welcome, from chocolate chip to fancy-dress. Questions? Contact Lynn Struve.
Gourmet Galaxy
(A booth selling wonderful homemade baked goods, pies, pickles, candies, jams etc contributed by the congregation)
Do you like to bake or make edible delicacies? The Gourmet Galaxy is looking for you! Some volunteers are making soups that we can sell (frozen). See Ann Kamman if you’re interested in joining that group – she has containers for you. Historical favorites of the Gourmet Galaxy have been biscotti, rum balls, breads and cakes, bars, candies, muffins. Contact Ann Kamman.
Donate to the Bazaar Book Sale and White Elephant Sale!
Time to weed your shelves, dig around in the back of your closets, and start setting aside donations for this year's Bazaar... Our used book sale will accept hardbacks and paperbacks for all ages, as well as DVDs, CDs, LPs & sheet music. White elephants are anything that you might put out at a yard sale - any household object that you no longer need could be someone else's newfound treasure!
Steve Krahnke will pick up your donations to store, or you can bring them directly to the church from Nov. 27 through Nov. 30.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bazaar?
A major church fundraiser. A lively community social event. A great chance to get more involved in the church and meet people. A tradition begun in 1959!
What is the Art Fair?
A juried show featuring around 20 local artists and artisans working in many mediums, such as pottery, glass, fiber arts, photography, painting, woodworking, jewelry, and more! Artists apply to get in and pay for booth space. Is all of that art super expensive? No! Although some items might be higher cost and one-of-a-kind treasures, there will be a wide range of items for sale at different prices, smaller prints of original works, etc.
How big is the Bazaar?
The Bazaar covers the first floor of the church. Local artists and artisans fill the Meeting Room. Fellowship Hall holds congregation-sponsored booths (especially the Gourmet Galaxy and the Cookie Cruise) and our UU Café. The hallways hold booths run by some of our Social Justice Task Forces. Rooms 104, 106, and 108 overflow with books and the unexpected treasures of the White Elephant‘s Trunk. Our well-known Bazaar attracts visitors from throughout the Bloomington community and beyond.
What will I find at the Bazaar?
You will find homemade baked goods, hand-knits, affordable gifts, yummy lunch offerings and a Lasagna Dinner on Friday, a giant used book sale, and the White Elephant rummage sale - our congregation cleans out their closets to donate all sorts of household items big and small, and you never know what treasures you will find!
What is the Gourmet Galaxy?
A booth in Fellowship Hall selling wonderful home-made breads, pies, pickles, candies, jam, etc, contributed by the congregation.
How does the Cookie Cruise work?
Imagine a looooong table filled with plate after plate of homemade cookies of every variety, yours to peruse and purchase by the pound. We offer boxes of different sizes for you to fill up -- the only tough thing is deciding.
Can I eat at the Bazaar?
Lunch and dinner are served at the congregation-staffed café in Fellowship Hall. Lunch features sandwiches, superb soup, masterful chili, and homemade pies. On Friday night bring the whole family to enjoy a delicious and nutritious lasagna dinner with UU friends.
How can I help?
Contribute baked goods, books, and White Elephants, and volunteer your time before, during, and right after the Bazaar. There will be volunteer signup sheets after the Sunday services in November in Fellowship Hall and an online signup sheet as well. Most volunteer shifts last two hours. There are all kinds of jobs! No job, no contribution is too small. The Bazaar cannot happen without your help! More than 100 volunteers make things hum!
May I work more than one shift?
Absolutely!
Is there child care for Bazaar volunteers?
Unfortunately, no, but responsible children may work with their parents on a volunteer shift.
What if I am not a UU member?
Friends and newcomers are welcome to participate in all aspects of the Bazaar! Working at the Bazaar is a good way to meet people, help the church, and see what we’re all about.
The Bazaar is a fine example of how lots of people working together, each doing their small but important part, combine do something great. Please join us!