Hallmark artists are masters of many forms, from watercolor, sculpture and cartooning to photography and animation. But when you see a sampling of their personal work, done in their private hours—the intricate jewelry, fine art paintings, hilarious parodies on weathered board and gorgeously crafted mandolins—you realize the depth of talent and dedication that is one of the company’s great assets.
For the first time in 2010, creative folks from Hallmark got a chance to bring out their own brilliant stuff and put it on sale at Hallmark Square at company headquarters. Called “Hallmarket,” the art fair fell on a perfect Saturday in October, with music, enthusiastic shoppers and the camaraderie of 65 artists and craftspeople who took part.
The idea behind Hallmarket had simmered for years with Regi Ahrens, manager of Kaleidoscope (Hallmark’s interactive art attraction for kids) and Hallmark Visitors Center. Hallmark’s year-long centennial celebration was a perfect time to bring her dream to reality.
“The intent was to honor and showcase the creative talent within Hallmark,” she explains. “Hallmarket invited the public to get to know some of our creative people and have the chance to purchase a personal work by one of them.”
Hallmarket will continue in 2011 and promises to be another success. “For me, this was Hallmark saying ‘thank you’ to its creative people,” master artist Stacey Lamb says. “What a great way to celebrate art and the people who love it.”