NEXT month’s Ballarat Pride Market is a place for all, according to stallholders.<\/p>\n
The market will be held at the Mining Exchange on Saturday 6 June, and artist Keira Hudson said the event is expected to bring diverse communities together.<\/p>\n
One of at least 39 stallholders set for the market, the Ballan artist sells rugs, patches, ceramics and photography.<\/p>\n
“It’s more like a family-friendly community,” she said. “My best friend came with her hubby and the kid and bought something\u2026I’ve met people, and then I’ve seen them again and again at new markets.<\/p>\n
“I’m kind of the gothic side of things, so I feel like it’s nice to find like where the weirdos are, encourage them to come out of the woodwork.<\/p>\n
“Making friends with other vendors is a big part of it.”<\/p>\n
Hudson said it was great to have a market like Ballarat’s on this side of Melbourne, having moved back to Ballan three years ago.<\/p>\n
“I started forming friendships like with the roller derby people there, and other artists in the area,” Hudson said.<\/p>\n
“As an adult, it’s about finding your niche, your community… An accepting community as well.<\/p>\n
“I really love connecting with all these different communities that I didn’t necessarily know existed growing up.”<\/p>\n
Iridian design maker-in-chief Megan Girdler produces and sells unique, handmade jewellery throughout similar markets across Victoria.<\/p>\n
“The atmosphere is very celebratory,” they said. “There’s a kind of shared understanding of the experience.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s just a beautiful way to feel connected to your community.<\/p>\n
“Globally, the trans, gender diverse, and LGBTQIA+ community are facing a lot of darkness right now. At home, we can combat that by celebrating our community, and representation and visibility can become a beacon of hope.”<\/p>\n
The free market will run from 10am to 3pm at the Mining Exchange.<\/p>\n
Jay Kulbardi and Annelise Belladonna will be completing 15-minute portraits and Flying Chillis will be providing snacks.<\/p>\n
More information and the list of stall holders is available at Ballarat Pride on Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEXT month’s Ballarat Pride Market is a place for all, according to stallholders. The market will be held at the Mining Exchange on Saturday 6 June, and artist Keira Hudson said the event is expected to bring diverse communities together. One of at least 39 stallholders set for the market, the Ballan artist sells rugs, […]<\/p>\n