TINLEY PARK, IL — If your idea of a great Saturday involves strange art, handmade goods, horror-inspired décor, tacos, craft beer and a little bit of the unexpected, Soundgrowler Brewing is the place to be this weekend.
The Dark Arts & Oddities Market returns Saturday, Oct. 3, from noon to 5 p.m. at Soundgrowler Brewing Co., 8201 183rd St., Suite P, in Tinley Park.
The free, family-friendly event is hosted by Soundgrowler Brewing and curated by Streetz Artz Alliance, bringing more than 50 artists, makers and small businesses together for an afternoon that has become one of the more unusual markets on the local event calendar.
The market will stretch throughout the brewery, with artists set up in the barrel room, taproom and outdoor beer garden.
Visitors can expect a little bit of everything: original artwork, horror and Halloween décor, oddities, jewelry, tarot, collectibles, candles, crochet, apparel, 3D-printed creations, Perler bead art, plants, coffee, honey, cookies, laser-etched goods and plenty of handmade items that are difficult to find anywhere else.
And despite the "Dark Arts & Oddities" name, organizers say the event isn't limited to horror fans.
"It's a Streetz Artz Alliance market, so we're always trying to create a lineup where you can come looking for something specific and still discover five other things you didn't know you wanted," said Streetz Artz Alliance organizer John Streetz.
A market that has gotten considerably bigger
The Dark Arts Market began in October 2022 as a smaller event focused primarily on dark art. Four years later, it has evolved into a much larger gathering featuring artists working across a wide range of styles and mediums.
This year's event has continued growing since the original lineup was announced, with several artists making their Soundgrowler debut.
New additions include Abearcub Wraps, Adara Selene Creations, Bryan Gregory Forsyth Art, That Girl at the Market, Gigawatt Coffee Roasters and author/artist Melanie Klegerman Fersko.
Jason Michael West Art, Galaxy Skincare Company, Penguin Imprints, Welding Witch, Elaha, Death and Dopamine, Blue Casa Studios and Bryan Gregory Forsyth Art are also among the artists joining the Soundgrowler market for the first time.
Come early if you're looking for oddities — and cookies.
Two artists specializing in oddities—Art by Andee Dandee and Sealed Fate Curiosities—are expected to leave around 4 p.m., so serious oddities shoppers may want to arrive early.
There is another reason to get there early: the cookies.
Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods will be bringing a large selection of homemade cookies, including Chocolate Chocolate, Snickerdoodle White Chocolate, Boofetti Butter, Caramel Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Walnut, Peanut Butter Reese's, Oatmeal Cranberry, Ginger Spice and the new Cracked Pepper Cashews.
Regulars at Streetz Artz Alliance events already know that Brenda's cookies have a tendency to disappear quickly.
Horror art, coffin paintings and spooky décor
Soundgrowler's October Featured Artist of the Month, Keith Piepenbrink, will also be at the market with his horror and pop-culture-inspired artwork.
Among his newest pieces are coffin-lid paintings designed to add a little extra personality to Halloween displays and home haunts.
Crafty Creations is also preparing a collection of Halloween and horror-themed shadow boxes for the event, including illuminated pieces featuring horror icons, graveyards, bats, pumpkins and ghouls.
For shoppers who like their Halloween décor a little less mass-produced, Saturday should offer plenty of options.
There's more than shopping
As with other Streetz Artz Alliance brewery markets, the idea isn't simply to walk through a vendor area and leave.
Soundgrowler's beer garden will be open, the brewery will have a modified food menu with tacos and burritos, and additional staff will be on hand during the event. Food and drinks can be ordered directly from the brewery bar inside.
The outdoor beer garden will also provide additional seating.
Pets are welcome in the outdoor beer garden, while service animals are permitted indoors.
Parking is available at Soundgrowler, with additional parking available in the large lot immediately east of the brewery.
Admission is free, and the event is family friendly.
For Streetz Artz Alliance, the formula remains pretty simple: come sip and shop.
The Dark Arts & Oddities Market runs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Soundgrowler Brewing Co. in Tinley Park.
Current vendor lineup (subject to change)
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