Beginning as Art Unhitched in 2013 in the vacant lot next to the previous The Hitch food truck court, the Art Squared Arts Market celebrates its fifth year in San Marcos this year.

Kathryn Welch, president of the San Marcos Art League, said the league took over the art market, moved it to the Hays County Courthouse square and renamed it Art Squared in 2014.

“There is something about being under the shade of a gigantic pecan tree,” Welch said. “No matter how your market day goes, you are sitting in a beautiful location.”

Welch, who joined Art Squared in 2015 as a vendor, said the market has changed her entire business, River City Glassworks.

“I’ve done a lot of vending in different markets and they can be intimidating, but I didn’t feel that here,” she said. “I do big architectural pieces and repairs and restorations, but no one would know about it if it weren’t for Art Squared, and now I have more business than I can handle.”

There is a jury process for vendors to participate in the market; however, even if the art does not fit with
the market’s, constructive critiques are provided.

“We’re not here to push people away. We’re here to bring people
in,” Welch said. “That is one of the missions of the Art League: We
promote, nurture; we just try to get
art everywhere.”

Along with hosting vendors from San Antonio to Austin, the market features a nonprofit organization and artists, free yoga sessions, live demonstrations and musicians, a free art supply swap, and this year there will be more community dance and music performances and free tai chi classes offered.

The market also works with other organizations such as the San Marcos Main Street program and tourism department, the city of San Marcos, and the San Marcos farmers market.

“[The farmers market] takes a village. It’s a big production, and it’s getting bigger,” Welch said.

Art Squared occurs every second Saturday of the month from March-December at the Hays County Courthouse square from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

“All our markets are wonderful. I’ve been to lots and lots in the area, but ours is really unique in that we do offer more than to just come buy [art]. We want you to experience [art],” Welch said.

By the numbers


• Vendor fees: $20 for member | $25 for nonmember
5 years in existence
1 artist and nonprofit featured a month
55-60 vendors a month on average

Art Squared Arts Market
111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos
www.artsquaredsmtx.org
[email protected]
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Second Saturday of the month