Tamarack is known for being an artists and artisans market, but the quirkiness of the market and the treasures you can find there cannot be understated. This is not your traditional market.
Tamarack, located in Beckley, is billed as "The Best of West Virginia," and that title definitely implies a bit of quirkiness, mixed with the beauty of the bizarre.
All the items on display and for sale are made or created by West Virginian artists and craftsman. They are handpicked by a jury selection process in an attempt to display and sell the most authentic pieces of the highest quality.
This artists and artisans market provides unique treasures both for sale and in its marketplace. This piece of pottery is designed by West Virginian Ed Klimek, who is known for these series of idiosyncratic jugs with animated faces.
You can also find some more conventional pottery, like these pieces by Christina Berry of St. Albans. But even then, these pieces are a little bit less than typical.
Some of the other artwork uses a menagerie of color and design, turning the mundane into something magical, like this piece by Gloria Pennington of man's best friend.
Others take a different approach with natural items, such as this Stephen King-inspired pumpkin submitted in a contest by Mandy L., which worn third place in the employee category.
Both the gallery and the market have work that you are not likely to see anywhere else, but would definitely want to purchase for display in your own home, especially if you have a taste for the peculiar and unusual.
This tea kettle is a great outside-the-box work inspired by Alice in Wonderland. "Tea in Wonderland" imagines what tea with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare must be like — the eccentricities of those characters and the world, in general, seems to be reflected in the design of this teapot.
There are quite a few items to purchase at Tamarack. Aside from these peculiar treasures, you can also find jewelry, hand-blown glass, gourmet food, wine, books, music, and crafts. The center also has a studio for local artists, a conference room, a theater and the Taste of West Virginia food court. Tamarack also hosts a number of events throughout the year, such as music performances and artists' exhibitions.
Tamarack has pretty much everything you could need in one location to feed your creative spirit, allowing you to spend as much time as you need to see everything the place has to offer.
To learn more about Tamarack, including a link to their Etsy store, visit their website here. Have you ever been to Tamarack? What other market do you know that has the same creative and quirky vibe? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion.
Are you interested in other markets in West Virginia? Check out these 10 amazing flea markets you absolutely have to visit.
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