Northeast Arc's 3rd Annual Spring Fair

Northeast Arc, a not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults with disabilities and autism become full participants in the community, will host its 3rd annual Spring Market just in time for Mother’s Day shopping

On Saturday, May 3rd, Northeast Arc will host a Spring Market located in the main hallway of Liberty Tree Mall outside of parcels. The market, taking place from 10:00am - 2:00pm, will feature artists and entrepreneurs with disabilities or autism selling their products. This market will feature unique handcrafted items, including jewelry, fine art, photography, cards, toys and games, wooden items, and pottery. Some artists whose work is on sale in parcels will also be showcasing and selling items that are not available in the store.

In addition, L’Arche Boston North will be selling homemade hummus. Hogan Greenhouse from Hogan Regional Center will be selling garden seedlings, and TILL, Inc will be offering a variety of wooden games, toys, and jewelry. Some Northeast Arc staff who have creative businesses will also be selling their items and provide natural supports during the market.

This market is important for the more than 30 artists with disabilities and autism who are participating for several reasons, including:

• Many artists and entrepreneurs with disabilities and autism are not able to participate in similar type markets, primarily due to the length of time those markets operate. An eight-hour market plus the time to pack vehicle, set up, and take down items can be overwhelming.
• By not being able to participate in markets, these artists have a harder time attracting new customers and selling their work.
• This market is designed to increase accessibility by:
  • Removing cost barriers. Artists do not have to pay to participate, and they keep 100% of their sales
  • Providing a shorter timeframe
  • Providing tables and chairs for vendors to limit what they need to bring on site

A highlight of the Spring Market includes the following musical performances.

• 10:30am: The TriTown Rock Band, an inclusive group of students with and without disabilities from Boxford, Middleton, and Topsfield, will perform popular hits from yesterday and today.
• Noon: Patrick Linehan will sing and play the piano. Linehan is an autistic musician, singer, actor, and artist. He began singing songs prior to being able to speak full sentences and learned to play piano by ear.
• 1:00pm: Frankie Bonsignore, an autistic singer and guitar player will perform.
• DJ Jazzy Jacob will be spinning the tunes between acts. DJ Jazzy Jacob from Reading is a young man with autism starting his DJ career.