On First Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, BUiLDiNG CHARACTER opened artMARKET, an expansion of its 1900 C. Emlen Urban-designed warehouse at 342 N. Queen St., Warehouse C. This 3,000-square-foot indoor collective space for art, music and assembling provides artisans flexible ways to display their craft and Lancastrians a venue for cultural events. This expands BUiLDiNG CHARACTER to 6,000 square feet.

Artisans Barbara Mann (left) and Kate Maloney

artMARKET is flexible and allows artisans to show one piece -- or have an entire workshop. They may rent daily, weekly or monthly. Here are a few options:

• One wall will be dedicated to one piece of artwork, for $10 a month.
• The “art gallery” provides artisans flexible wall space from 4' x 5' to 10’ x 8'.
• The “art booths” provide a 10’ x 8’ floor space and a 10’ x 8’ wall space, seven days a week, where the artisan does not have to man their booth.
• “Art stalls” provide 160 square feet of floor space and 240 square feet of wall space. This is ideal for the artist who needs a studio to work and sell from, in a creative and collective atmosphere.

The McCaskey Art Club, with teachers Lisa Wolf (right)
and Matthew Lawrence (second from left)

There is also a dedicated wall for J.P. McCaskey High School students (above) and an oversized piggy-bank -- by local artist David Hughes -- that is used to raise money for the J.P. McCaskey Art Student Scholarship Fund. Students also sell their artwork and donate a portion of their proceeds to the fund.

Ryan Shenk (left) and Darren Pirkle of The Faux Minx

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assembly:

A group of persons gathered
for a common reason.

artMARKET will also host BUiLDiNG CHARACTER’s 1,000-square-foot assembly. This will serve as Downtown Lancaster’s home for FirstFRIDAY, MusicFRIDAY, SundayMARKET, CD release parties, Singer-Songwriter Series, open mic nights, band rehearsals, recording space, lectures, magic shows, independent movies, poetry slams, charity events, creative riots, yoga classes, ballet classes, birthday parties, anniversaries, weddings, rehearsals, workshops, reunions, and more. FirstFRIDAY, MusicFRIDAY and SundayMARKET "day vendor" spaces are available.

RENTAL RATES

Call 394-7201 or e-mail for details.

WANT TO GET MARRIED?

BC co-owner Tony Nies is ordained by The Church of the Latter-Day Dude. Visit Dudeism.com to learn more.

THE BUZZ

December is the start of "Friday Night Live" at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER. We guarantee there's something to do at the shop every Friday night. Drop us an e-mail if you want to play music or if you have an event you want to hold.

Friday Night Live 
@ BUiLDiNG CHARACTER

December 

5th - The Faux Minx, 6-9p

12th - Maryjo Mattea, 8p

19th - The Faux Minx, 6-9p

26th - Emily Long, 8p

January

9th - 8 Track Radio

16th - Jason Mundok
& Living Fables, 6-9p 

23rd - Main Street Mystics, 8p

30th - Kimber Liana, 8p

February

6th - Summitt Hill, 6-9p

20th - Main Street Mystics, 6-9p

CD release party, Nov. 28, above.

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MUSICIANS 

Are you a local musician looking for a venue? Let us know, we are always seeking musicians to perform on First Friday and other special occassions. E-mail us! info@buildingcharacter.biz