There is something unique about Saturday morning in downtown Baton Rouge. It could be the sound of a dulcimer band playing amid a backdrop of impromptu strangers singing Louisiana’s state song, “You Are My Sunshine.”
It could be the mixture of the sweet fragrance of fresh flowers, the rich, smoky aroma of homemade green pepper sausage or the full, pungent smells of fresh cilantro and fresh basil.
It could be the kindness of strangers and the sense of community.
Or perhaps it is where all of these things combine, at the corner of 5th and Main streets, each weekend all year long.
The event, Red Stick Farmers’ Market, is a place for residents to explore fresh Louisiana produce, plants and baked goods. Some merchants are located inside the Main Street Market as well.
For the Main Street Market and Red Stick Farmers’ Market, this is a weekly occurrence.
For others, it is a chance to share their craft and reconnect with other artists once a month. On the first Saturday of each month, the Baton Rouge Arts Market features more than 40 artists from the Gulf Coast area alongside the Farmers’ Market.
Some of the artists who regularly participate in the Arts Market were unable to attend the Arts Market last month because of damage from Hurricane Katrina.
To help some of the affected artists, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, which sponsors the monthly Arts Market, is accepting donations.
Katherine Scherer, Arts and Cultural Programs Director for ACGBR, said musical instruments, art supplies, dance gear and money are being accepted to help artists in need.
As the sun inches its way overhead, merchants and artists take up shop in the streets of downtown Baton Rouge.
Almost without warning, the street becomes a cultural marketplace as residents crowd the various booths. Some peruse the market in search of something special, others simply admire the local artists’ handiwork and soak up the rich atmosphere.
Jenise McCardell, owner of Clay Creations in Bay St. Louis, Miss., is happy to be back at the Arts Market. McCardell creates clay wall plaques and magnets depicting the architecture and stereoscopes of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and other Southern cities.
After Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast region, McCardell returned to pick up the pieces.
“The sludge came in about four feet up,” McCardell said. “It was difficult [to see the damage], and four of my kilns were ruined in the process.”
After beginning to clean up her studio, McCardell also went to work trying to salvage pieces she finished before the storm hit.
She has not been able to start new pieces because of the damage to her studio but is still optimistic.
“It could have been much worse,” McCardell said. “Downtown Bay St. Louis is at least starting to come back. Other places, like Waveland, are just ghost towns.”
Throughout the street, couples and families survey the art as well as the food on display. Residents greet each other with smiles and hugs.
In the hustle and bustle, Annette Aucoin and her daughter, Monique Cheramie, sit patiently behind their booth filled with pieces of silver jewelry and pottery. Aucoin creates the jewelry; Cheramie crafts the pottery.
Aucoin and Cheramie were not affected by the hurricane but said their hearts go out to those who did.
“We were extremely lucky,” Aucoin said. “We just had a few downed trees.”
Aucoin said she has been involved with the Arts Market for about three or four years and looks forward to working it every month.
“I enjoy not only the arts part but also the Farmer’s Market itself,” Aucoin said. “The veggies here are great. I leave with more [purchases] than what I sell sometimes.”
Contact Meghan Legaux at [email protected]