Austin’s HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Campaign is a project of HOPE Events Inc. an eco-conscious 501(c)3 non-profit that involves artists and musicians in campaigns, projects and events that support education projects around the world. Local projects include East Austin’s weekly HOPE Farmers Market and Central Austin’s HOPE Outdoor Gallery – both free!
Image courtesy of HOPE Farmers Market
HOPE Farmers Market
Held every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on East 5th and Comal, HOPE Farmers Market is an East Austin gem nestled on the beautifully rustic Plaza Saltillo.
Image courtesy of HOPE Farmers Market
As an acoustic band’s music sprinkled onto the patio, two boys played a game of Cornhole (think washers with bean bags) in the plaza center near the fountain. I eyed approaching rain clouds as I sidled up to the shops to see what I could find. This market had everything but the kitchen sink. I didn’t have any knives to get sharpened at Knife Party, but I did grab an iced free-trade coffee from Texas Coffee Traders. Some more well-known Austin institutions were represented, such as Thai Fresh and Tacodeli (two words: doña sauce), and also some companies I hadn’t yet heard of, such as El Cruz Cafe and Windy Hill Farm, both of which boasted an impressive offering of cabrito, or goat, and West China Tea Company.
West China Tea demo, courtesy of HOPE Farmers Market
Image courtesy of HOPE Farmers Market
There was a variety of produce to choose from as well as products from Central Texas Bee Rescue, which is fighting to stave the dramatic decline of the honeybee.
Ongoing market projects include the HOPE Farm Stand, which supports small and urban growers and increases access to healthy food in East Austin; Likes Bikes, which raises cycling awareness and encourages all to bike more often; a local artist poster series which feature local artists; and HOPEFM live program, live music by up-and-coming local bands.
With live music, a variety of family-friendly events, and fresh produce, you’ll find HOPE Farmers Market has something for everyone in the family. Be sure to keep up with HOPE Farmers Market on their website and Facebook page for updates and coming events.
HOPE Outdoor Gallery
Mural by Jomau Artwork
Just down the road at 1101 Baylor Street is the HOPE Outdoor Gallery. It is hard to explain the experience: gritty and undeniably urban but also peaceful and magical in a way. It’s almost like the art installations have been there always, instead of just since 2011.
Bat mural by Jomau Artwork
The three-story educational art project is one of the largest outdoor galleries in the U.S. and was developed to provide graffiti artists and muralists the opportunity to display large-scale art pieces.
You can read more about visiting the HOPE Outdoor Gallery here.
Mural by ERTHINK
Follow HOPE Outdoor Gallery on their Facebook page for updated images and information.
For more Austin adventures, check out the Austin Summer Fun Checklist!
Ashley Clary-Carpenter left her Texas-hopping journalism job and joined the good fight of educating Austin middle schoolers so she could be closer to her awesome baby girl. She enjoys hiking, live music and spending time on the water with her water baby and rockstar husband.
