The Folly Art Village is every Wednesday at The Washout
by Miranda Steadman | Contributing Writer
The Folly Art Village first began with just 18 vendors and has now grown to support 30 small businesses that rotate during the market season from 5-9 p.m. every Wednesday at The Washout.
“We meet people from all over the world every week, and they choose to take a little piece of Folly home from a local artist, which means a lot,” says local ceramic artist Melissa Dennis, who has been honing her craft since she took pottery lessons from renowned Johns Island ceramics artist Trevor Foster eight years ago. Dennis has vended her pottery at the Folly Art Village for the past five years.
“The vending world is a lot of work and can be difficult, but it’s rewarding and I’ve met lifelong friends through this,” says Dennis, whose business, Prickly Pottery, includes her artistic renditions of bowls, plates, mugs, and vases.
Local candlemaker Jess Willingham of The Raine & Grace, Co., has teamed up with Dennis to breathe new life into the weekly event.
“We really have tried to freshen up the market,” says Dennis. “We want to let it blossom and grow and build a good local following.” Willingham’s daughters often help her at the village. “It’s a family event,” Dennis added.
Visual artist Theresa Hoffman paints colorful Lowcountry sunsets and wildlife scenes, as well as Charleston icons like Rainbow Row. “My art is my journey, my paint brush is my silent expression of thoughts, feelings, dreams, and experiences,” says Hoffman.
The Folly Art Village hosts an array of artists’ businesses, which range from wooden cutting boards, vases, coasters, and clipboards made by Robin Boozer for Blue Ridge Woodcrafters to Photographer Amanda Vargo’s stunning local prints. Local jewelry artist Jennifer Lowe of Beaded Venus brings an assortment of beautiful jewelry to show at the market.
By combining style, function, and Earth consciousness, Play Salty produces sustainably made beachwear created to help protect our oceans. Vendors Tanya and Royce Ragragola sell beach hats, sustainably made swimwear and activewear. This year, a new vendor, Surfer Betty, brings protective SPF and restorative hair care to the Folly Art Village. The women-owned brand is crafted for surfers with clean, ocean-friendly formulas.
Sea Foam Emporium creates unique stained glass pieces featuring dried flowers, feathers, shells and minerals. Business owner and local glass artist Shannon Denny lives on Folly and sells wind chimes, hanging art and jewelry at the Folly Art Village.
“We’re just so grateful for our spot and the locals who support us,” says Dennis. “We want to make it bigger and better every year.”
The Folly Art Village was previously organized by a farmer on Edisto Island, however, the event is searching for a full time farmer to sell their produce. A food vendor, Christy Demos of The Mixing Bowl, brings delicious homemade drop cookies to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Live music for The Folly Art Village is provided by a rotating cast of local musicians, including John Picard of Operation Irie, Hans Wenzel, Derek Cribb, Nick Horn, Jacob Kendrick, and others, with guest vocalists rotating. Food and drinks are also available from The Washout.
