Bowerbird Design Market Flutters Back to Adelaide Showgrounds

Now in its seventh year, the Bowerbird Design Market originally set up shop as Bowerbird Bazaar in the Queen’s Theatre back in 2009 before moving to the Adelaide Showground in 2012. Founded by Jane Barwick, a contemporary jeweller, she noticed there was space for a platform that allowed Australia’s emerging and established artists, designers and makers to sell their work in South Australia.

Since then, Bowerbird’s moved from the Queen’s Theatre to the Adelaide Showground’s Stirling Angas Hall and now to the larger Wayville Pavilion, which has allowed more stalls.

“I think it’s important that it’s a real experience for people coming: that it’s more than just shopping,” Barwick says. “People are coming and wanting [to] meet those who are designing their own work [so] they can support them and also buy products that are a bit more personal.”

The face-to-face interaction between consumer and creator is one that makes Bowerbird distinct and something Barwick holds dear to her heart. “I love it – I love that interaction. I think it’s a key part of the event and the community. It’s about teaching people [to] appreciate the amount of work that goes into something.”

This appreciation extends to education in the form of workshops and demonstrations from stallholders, where Bowerbird-goers are given the opportunity to observe the act of creation first hand, or create something themselves: “[this] encourages that appreciation, which… is the whole philosophy of the event.”

This November, the market returns with both local and interstate stallholders, as well as emerging and established artists. For those eager to trawl through the quality goods on offer, this diversity means they’ll be spoilt for choice, with stalls stocked with unique homewares, fashion, furniture, artworks, jewellery and much more. The November market will see the introduction of some new faces, one of which is Botánica Boutique – a range of South Australian designed indoor and miniature greenery. Barwick says Botanica has a “really lovely range of work”, which includes mini mossariums and hanging plants.

Another new addition to the fray is Artisan, a local collective of makers and artists who’ll be selling original pieces. With a range of assembled artists from ceramic, glass, wood and jewellery backgrounds, Barwick insists that “they’re some people to really look out for”.

Bowerbird Design Market
Wayville Pavilion, Adelaide Showgrounds
Friday November 25, 4pm-9pm
Saturday November 26 & Sunday November 27, 10am-5pm
Entry $5. Children under 12, free.
bowerbirdbazaar.com.au

Photos: Belinda Monck Photography