Art 120 is hosting El Mercado Latinoamericano de Chattanooga, a market featuring vendors from the local Latino community, on Saturday, Oct. 29 from noon-6 p.m.
This market is the feature of Art 120’s first annual Dia de los Muertos fundraiser and celebration.
Festival goers may also contribute to a mobile Art Bike community altar honoring the roots of this Mexican and multi-cultural tradition, enjoy live music, craft Dia de los Muertos tissue flowers and masks, listen to bilingual traditional storytelling, and visit booths featuring the work of local artists for sale and auction.
El Mercado Latinoamericano de Chattanooga, typically held in the Ridgeside community, was founded by McCallie teacher Veronica Herrera and is part of a larger effort to support multicultural leadership skills through Culture Philanthropy.
Ms. Herrera said, “In Culture Philanthropy we use culture as a catalyst to economic growth; we share culture to improve everyone's lives.”
Officials said culture will certainly be shared as vendors offer traditional food such as gorditas and arepas prepared on site, quinoa and plantain snacks, handmade Columbian bags from Guajira region, handmade jewelry and traditional clothing, and more.
Art 120 has space remaining for booths and is accepting applications from local artists and craftspeople, musicians, and performers to participate in this event. If you are interested in participating, visit their website at art120.org to download forms and email to Hannah Hahn at edu@art120.org.