Street market going strong
THE Little Penang Street Market (LPSM) will be turning seven in July and it is showing no signs of slowing down.
Organiser James Lochhead said a recent survey showed that 60% of the market’s visitors were domestic and foreign tourists while the rest were Penangites.
“Generally, the visitors were pleased with the market.
“Considering the limited resources, it’s fantastic that the LPSM has gone on every month since its inception – clearly there’s a demand for it and it has huge potential to grow,” he said when met at the market on Sunday.
The LPSM was started to celebrate creativity and heritage, he said.
He added that going forward, the challenge was to publicise and develop the market.
Bargains galore: Visitors to the market checking out the many items on sale
“If we can get someone to do outreach work for the market and bring in new participants and talents, it will be great.
“Perhaps the state government can come up with a more coherent policy for the development of the arts, culture and festivals here so that event organisers who need more support will receive assistance,” he said.
Lochhead said future plans included having designated tents for schools to exhibit their projects and the public to show items related to the environment.
More activities for the kids are also in the pipeline.
More than 70 stalls sell a range of products at the LPSM from 10am to 5pm at Upper Penang Road in George Town every last Sunday of the month.
Asia Community Service (ACS) Stepping Stone centre supervisor Hasra Othman said its members had been selling their home-made snacks and handicraft like soap, bags and clothing at the market since day one.
The ACS booth sells over 50 items all made by people with disabilities.
“In the last three years or so, the market has become more commercialised in terms of the items sold.
“Perhaps we need to go back to the traditional craft items which are one-of-a-kind pieces to attract the crowd,” she said.
ACS member Rozihad Yahaya, who started as an apprentice, has been weaving craft items for over a decade and is now a trainer at the centre.
“Many kids who come to the market like to try their hand at weaving and I enjoy teaching them,” she said.
Artist and gallery assistant curator Jeff Jansen said the market draws an especially large crowd during long weekends.
“I’ve been here for about three years and I’ve seen traders move on as new ones come in, which is good for the market.
“For the visual arts display, we put up paintings by both locals and foreigners on display so that they are accessible to everyone including kids.
“Often, even adults feel too intimidated to visit art galleries.
“Here, anyone can just walk up and enjoy a painting – there are no walls and no doors,” he said.
For details on the market’s upcoming events, log on to www.littlepenang.com.my/wordpress/ or call 017-4290806.
~News courtesy of The Star~
THE Little Penang Street Market (LPSM) will be turning seven in July and it is showing no signs of slowing down.
Organiser James Lochhead said a recent survey showed that 60% of the market’s visitors were domestic and foreign tourists while the rest were Penangites.
“Generally, the visitors were pleased with the market.
“Considering the limited resources, it’s fantastic that the LPSM has gone on every month since its inception – clearly there’s a demand for it and it has huge potential to grow,” he said when met at the market on Sunday.
The LPSM was started to celebrate creativity and heritage, he said.
He added that going forward, the challenge was to publicise and develop the market.
Bargains galore: Visitors to the market checking out the many items on sale
“If we can get someone to do outreach work for the market and bring in new participants and talents, it will be great.
“Perhaps the state government can come up with a more coherent policy for the development of the arts, culture and festivals here so that event organisers who need more support will receive assistance,” he said.
Lochhead said future plans included having designated tents for schools to exhibit their projects and the public to show items related to the environment.
More activities for the kids are also in the pipeline.
More than 70 stalls sell a range of products at the LPSM from 10am to 5pm at Upper Penang Road in George Town every last Sunday of the month.
Asia Community Service (ACS) Stepping Stone centre supervisor Hasra Othman said its members had been selling their home-made snacks and handicraft like soap, bags and clothing at the market since day one.
The ACS booth sells over 50 items all made by people with disabilities.
“In the last three years or so, the market has become more commercialised in terms of the items sold.
“Perhaps we need to go back to the traditional craft items which are one-of-a-kind pieces to attract the crowd,” she said.
ACS member Rozihad Yahaya, who started as an apprentice, has been weaving craft items for over a decade and is now a trainer at the centre.
“Many kids who come to the market like to try their hand at weaving and I enjoy teaching them,” she said.
Artist and gallery assistant curator Jeff Jansen said the market draws an especially large crowd during long weekends.
“I’ve been here for about three years and I’ve seen traders move on as new ones come in, which is good for the market.
“For the visual arts display, we put up paintings by both locals and foreigners on display so that they are accessible to everyone including kids.
“Often, even adults feel too intimidated to visit art galleries.
“Here, anyone can just walk up and enjoy a painting – there are no walls and no doors,” he said.
For details on the market’s upcoming events, log on to www.littlepenang.com.my/wordpress/ or call 017-4290806.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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