Trans Art Market at Love City Brewing to celebrate trans and non-binary artists

A pop-up market featuring transgender, non-binary and gender expansive artists will be held at Love City Brewing in Callowhill next month after two years of postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trans Art Mart Was found by Maine-based queer artist Mel Andrel in 2020, but is now operated by Philadelphia creatives Meg Potoma and Gabriella Grimes. The event will take place on Saturday April 2 in the outside car park of the brewery at 1023 Hamilton Street. from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The pop-up will follow Transgender Awareness Day, which is commemorated on March 31 each year.

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“We hope visitors will recognize the beau monde of trans artists by meeting and buying from our vendors,” Grimes said. “Trans people bring incredible things to life every day that they want to share with the world. Trans Art Mart is an invitation to the world to celebrate the trans community for its abundance of creativity.”

Nearly 40 artists and vendors are participating, including West Philly clothing company Toxic Femme, which hand prints all of its merchandise on 100% vegan materials.

A full list of this year’s vendors is available at The Trans Art website. Organizers shared highlights from some of the featured artists. These include:

• toxic woman: Clothing company focused on punk, gothic and metal aesthetics
• Divine Downes Studios: artist and jeweler based in South Jersey whose work is centered on love
• Cuvo: Philadelphia-based tattoo artist and illustrator
• Chilicrisps4spicylips: Small chili chip company, currently in partnership with V mark shop in Newbold
• cute revolution: illustrations and graphic prints inspired by 90s pop culture
• Darb’s Habit: Wearable art and designs for gender wide people
• big baby pokes: Philadelphia-based tattoo artist and engraver
• Marzian black: Metal hair ornaments made exclusively for black people
• Allegra Pronesti: Jefferson University graduate and fashion designer providing clothing options that validate queer and trans identities
• Bleed your heart glass: Small series stained glass company

Although the event is ticketed, there is a $5 entry fee. A portion of the proceeds will go to two charities. Philly housing repairs focuses on securing housing for black queer and trans people through the distribution of wealth. Cars for Philadelphia provides financial assistance to queer black Philadelphians in need of cars.

By providing a space for trans, non-binary, and gender-broad artists to come together and sell their creations to a wider audience, organizers hope that guests and vendors can build and strengthen their relationships with each other.

“We hope this is also an opportunity for trans creatives to build community among themselves,” Potoma said.

Grimes and Potoma will verify proof of vaccination and identification before visitors can browse the market.