A Christmas themed art market titled Christmas Bazar was held on December 17, at the BAC Art Cafe, where more than 20 artists and art entrepreneurs showcased their products as perfect Christmas gifts. BAC Art Café has been hosting a monthly art market, on the last Saturday of every month for a year. 

Speaking about their popular art market, organiser Saroj Mahato said, “New and emerging artists and entrepreneurs need a platform to display their works and art markets help in doing just that.” He also mentioned that to be eligible to have a stall at the market, the artist’s product must be made in Nepal. 

The Market saw products developed by art ventures such as Bihani—an enterprise that produces Nepali woodcraft, hemp clothes, and Nepali t-shirts, and Muskan, which produces, mostly, hand-made Nepali bags and jewellery.

Anisha Shakya, Muskan’s owner, shared, “Emerging and new businesses like us need to efficiently promote our products and art markets helps us do that. Since it is the festive season of Christmas, we are seeing more and more foreign customers.”

Prashant Kalauni of Bihani shares similar sentiments. “Art markets like this are by far the best mediums for the introduction and marketing of our products. This is our fifth time participating in this art market and we come back each time because we get unique access to the niche crowd that we are targeting,” he said.

Speaking to the Post, Sophia Bauer, a German tourist who was browsing through the stalls at the Market, said, “It is pleasant to see events like this one that promote arts and craft happening in Nepal. It is an immediate attraction to me. Because of platforms like this, tourists, like myself, have got a perfect place to purchase knickknacks for the festive season. It is a win-win for all.”

The event also saw a live music performance by The Jazz Band and Binam.