By Julia Berkman
If you’ve ever heard of Knockturn Alley in Harry Potter and thought, “Huh, where can I get a less-evil version of this experience?” you can look no further than the Alternative Library Black market series. Curators and creators of oddities will be selling their wares to the general public on Oct.ober 14. Future Man, owner of the Alternative Library and publishing company Neoglyphic Media, is excited for this first event, entitled Junk Shop Edition, as well as all future Black Market events.
“This first one will be focused on vintage and used goods… Attendees can expect to find treasured ephemera and antiquated media objects such as: comics, toys, VHS, vintage clothing, musical instruments, oddities, good stuff, bad stuff, weird stuff…” said Future Man.
“We’re creating this series to give a regular space for local craftspeople and art lovers to gather to share their work in a truly DIY environment that honors that spirit of creation. We want to build a stronger scene of people empowered to create the things they want to see, and we’re hoping this first event will inspire other people in Bellingham to get involved in creating future incarnations of Black Markets.“
Future Man’s other enterprise, Neoglyphic Media, is a visual media publisher that frequently sponsors up-and-coming artists in their productions of comics and zines. There are always Neoglyphic Media comics on display at the Alternative Library, so it comes as no shock that some of these artists are participating in the Black market expo.
The Black Market on Oct. 14 will also feature fare from Seattle food cart Mamma Polenta, a GMO-free, gluten-free and vegan establishment. Owner Paolo Bicchieri touts their business as “the first social enterprise Italian fast food pop up.”
Mamma Polenta has a mission: to bring food back to the masses. ““DIY projects are important because it inherently decentralizes the big food systems that are keeping migrants and refugees enslaved and oppressed. Continuing to disrupt the normative ways we eat is the answer to getting back to….the normal way to eat!” Bicchieri said.
While you may miss out on the first Black Market, don’t fret. This is only the first in a series of themed events the Alternative Library is hosting.
“Ideally this will just be the beginning and a step towards building a vital and inspired scene of artists and makers in Bellingham,” Future Man said.
Other Markets will focus on other curating communities; among them are Bellingham crafters and carpenters. For more information, check out the Alternative Library on Facebook.