Whether you are looking for a beautiful oil painting to feature above the mantle in your formal living room or looking for a funky jacket to wear to a concert at Elmwood Park, Market Street in downtown Roanoke should have you covered.

Here are some locations on Market Street featuring local artisans…

The Little Gallery

More than just a space for displaying art; it's a thriving hub for local artists to connect with their community. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other forms of visual art created by talented people from Roanoke and the surrounding areas. The friendly and knowledgeable staff go over and above to assist with your every need.

Artists featured at the Little Gallery …

David Heath is a contemporary landscape artist whose paintings are so realistic they almost look like a photograph. Heath concentrates on what he calls the "solitary landscape." According to his website, he feels, "that the untouched landscape best communicates a sense of timelessness and serenity to the viewer, while the presence of man…limits the scene to a specific moment in time. His work is amazing and is available to purchase at The Little Gallery.

Harry Jarman is a well-known Southern realist who paints in oils and is in his 80's. My understanding is he still paints every day. I was immediately struck by the artist's rendering of glass – whether it be a glass bowl of lemons "Lemon/Crystal", "Wine Glasses Full of Corks or my personal favorite, "Blues and Greens" which features blue and green mason jars against a backdrop of white louvered blinds. They are amazing as are his other works of art, available at The Little Gallery.

Peter Chapman who studied to be an architect at Virginia Tech creates amazing wooden 3D puzzles from solid wood. Horses, dogs, and the dragon on display and for sale at The Little Gallery each have a hidden surprise inside. These puzzles are not intended for small children but make great gifts for older kids and adults!

Gypsy Palooza and Artsy June

Gypsy Palooza and Artsy June are owned by entrepreneur and artisan Katy Newberry. Katy designs jewelry as well as upcycled clothing with cool funky designs. Katy also spotlights other local artisans at both of her shops. "Earring Gypsy" Alisa Downey is on display with lots of fun seasonal earrings. Local photographer Phillip Barrett has his Roanoke themed prints available for purchase. Cindy Owens has wax melts with delicious fragrances available to buy and Diane Miller has designed magnets, necklaces, and signs.

Across the street at Gypsy Palooza, you will also find upcycled fashion designed and created by Anna VanLuven. I love her style and I get tons of compliments each time I wear my jacket created by Anna.

The Gift Niche

The Gift Niche also features a few locally made items. One artisan that struck my eye was Priss E Nerd, who has a collection of earrings that are made with upcycled materials and are hand painted.

The Roanoke Valley is a destination where creativity thrives, and artisans flourish. The individuals and groups mentioned in this blog post represent just a fraction of the diverse and talented artistic community that calls Roanoke home. Whether you're a lover of fine arts, crafts, or music, Roanoke has something to offer every enthusiast.

If you are heading to downtown Roanoke, you must stop in and check out all that Market Street has to offer!