Get a peek behind the curtain of Appalachia’s artistic revival at the East End Bazaar in Charleston.
The Bazaar’s colorful open-air marketplace only takes up 1 corner, but its spacious, open design makes it a versatile pop-up space. On days off, the simple wooden structure and painted planters decorate the once-abandoned corner. But when it comes alive, it’s bustling with artisans of every sort.
But the Bazaar adds something entirely new to the city’s creative mix, and re-envisions the way the way we interact with urban arts. It’s more than just showcase of the city’s creative character— it’s an exploration of the uniqueness and artistry behind it.
Market events
On select Saturdays, the bazaar brings artists together around a theme. And any creative pursuit is fair game: glassblowing, painting, cooking, gardening, reuse, carving, sewing and more. There is even a baker who makes homemade dog treats, and an organic farm that brings in fresh produce— 2 Bazaar fan-favorites!
There are live demonstrations and interactive activities for every theme, so you can explore Appalachian arts hands-on.
Live music and food vendors round out the pop-up’s artistic ensemble, so you can hang out a while, browse, eat, listen to the show. All the while, watch raw materials transform into unique works of art.
Witnessing works in-the-making, talking to the creators and trying for yourself, you get a better appreciation of the spirit that’s driving Charleston’s blossoming arts scene— and a new lens to look at the arts across the rest of the city.
Special events
You never know quite what will pop up at the bazaar, but the 2 biggest events focus in on the craft of flavor:
- At Sips & Sweets wine tasting and bake-off, 5 local bakeries will compete to cook up the top dessert and wine pairing.
- At Hops & Heat, you can sip more than 30 brews and sample more than 10 spicy entries in the chili cook-off.
The market opens select Saturdays from May through September, with special events throughout the year, so check their schedule before stopping by.