Illawarra jewellery makers, fashion designers, painters, dancers and other creative types - artist Matthew Gillett wants you.
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The owner of the Matthew Gillett Gallery, located inside the Scarborough Hotel, is hosting its first art market next year and is looking for stallholders keen to sell their wares.
The market, to be held in February, is set to hold 60 stalls, along with live music and Italian-inspired street food.
Gillett, a former Sydney-based artist, has watched the art market scene grow and believes it is an ideal way for would-be art fiends to start their collection.
"People will buy art and they want to buy art, but I think a lot are put off going to art galleries because they feel like they don't know a lot about art," he said.
"I like the idea of people looking at a piece of art and liking it because it's blue and they like the colour blue, it's as simple as that.
"Art markets are becoming more popular because people can see a piece of art they like and take it home straight away, they don't have to wait for an exhibition to finish.
"Plus, it tends to be well-priced and it's usually something different."
The market, dubbed Mercato Arte, is dedicated to offering a place for both seasoned exhibitors and emerging artists to show their work.
Gillett is keen to nurture upcoming creatives, providing them with a marketplace, along with tips on how to advertise their business.
"The markets are a great place for people who have never exhibited before to get their work out there. I see it as a stepping stone to an eight-week show," he said.
"Part of the package we offer is to give them media and marketing training. I've found that so many artists are good at painting, but not as good at promoting.
"We want to show them how to promote themselves, when to post about their work and where, and where to go to meet other people. That's really important to us."
Mercato Arte will be held on February 26 from 6pm to 11pm at the Scarborough Hotel.
Stalls are $250 each.
Stallholder applications are due by January 21.
For more information, visit matthewgillettgallery.com.