DELMAR — Located at the Four Corners in Delmar, Merriman & Pfister’s Marketplace is all about community. Not only does the charming specialty boutique feature art, jewelry, accessories and home notions created by local artists and artisans, it features local artists and hosts a community event each month.
On Saturday, July 15, M&P’s annual chalk art competition will take place, according to Kathy Agneta, who owns the boutique with her husband, Carlo. Entrants will create chalk art on the parking lot at their location at 388 Kenwood and visitors will be able to vote for the winning creation. For a $5 entry fee, the winning artist will receive $100 and a second place artist will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store.
“Anyone, any age, is welcome,” said Agneta. “It’s just really fun. And the artwork is so great.” She added that last year the weather stayed nice long enough to allow the neighborhood to enjoy the pieces for weeks after the event.
The August event, which is scheduled for the 17th (weather-permitting), will be a Meet-the-Artist event, showcasing any local artist who would like to come and set up an outdoor booth to display and sell their unique work. Agneta said that M&P has, conservatively, about 70 local artists with whom they work.
“We’re always trying to connect the artist with the consumer in, kind of, a more intimate way,” she said, explaining that the event is a lot like a craft fair and is a way to allow the artists to show more of their work than they are able to in the store.
“It’s a really fun event,” she said. “We serve wine and cheese, and other snacks and drinks.”
In September, a “community showing” will allow any community member to submit and show their work and, in October, will be the third annual pumpkin carving contest.
“Part of our mission statement,” said Agneta, “is to be a good community member. That’s really important to us.”