The Riverside Arts Market (RAM), now in its 15th year, is a weekly makers and farmers market hosted by Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., rain or shine. Each week more than 100 small business owners gather under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge to sell their products to the local community. Keep reading to learn more about some of the incredible vendors that make RAM a must-visit part of every Saturday.
Heads turn at the Riverside Arts Market when visitors walk past the unique mugs at Apollo’s Pots. Created by ceramic artist Asher Martinez, Apollo’s Pots are designed to be hugged, not held, a more accessible style for those with grip strength concerns. The knob-shaped handles bring customers over to the booth without fail. “It has been incredible to see people interact with my mugs”, he says. While the knob design has changed over time with customer feedback, it has become a signature feature of Apollo’s Pots pieces. “People come back to my booth and share that they use their mug every morning!”
Asher’s journey into ceramics began as a quest for fulfillment outside the confines of a corporate job. “I decided to find a creative outlet”, he says. That search led him to Atlantic Pottery Supply, where a month-long class ignited a passion that reshaped his life. “I haven’t left since!” Asher says. After receiving encouragement from friends and family, Asher took the jump into selling his work. Initially, sharing his pieces with the community brought him a feeling of vulnerability. “Even though my style and skills are evolving, every piece is made by my hands and it is very personal,” he says.
Balancing day-to-day life with the demands of running a small business is not always easy, and as a self-declared “night owl”, Asher can often be found in the studio late into the evening and sometimes, working on pieces until 3 a.m. Gentle reminders to take breaks, given by his wife and fellow ceramicist Stormee, bring Asher “back down to Earth” as he works on large numbers of pieces at a time.
While his mugs, with their unique knob handles, are his most recognizable pieces, Asher is especially drawn to crafting bowls. “They feel the most natural to throw and I’m most at peace making them.” Japanese ceramics have a strong influence on Asher’s designs, with many of his bowls including a deep designed foot- an extra detail that the ceramicist finds very aesthetically pleasing.
Other pieces from Asher serve as more than just vessels for coffee or tea- they’re symbols of pride and identity. Last year, Asher launched a pride collection in response to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. The initial pieces were well received, and requests for more LGBTQ+ inspired pieces continued throughout the year. “As a trans man, it is all very personal to me and my family. It brings me a lot of joy to do something as simple as draw a pride or trans flag on a mug” he shared.
As Asher continues to create and advocate, he also steps into a new role as teacher. After leading some classes initially for family and friends, he now gives private lessons and teaches month-long classes at Atlantic Pottery Supply – the place where his ceramics journey began. Additionally, he encourages all to follow him on Instagram to see his latest work, including his pride pieces, and to be sure to visit the Riverside Arts Market to discover Apollo’s Pots firsthand.
Are you interested in becoming a RAM maker in 2024? Please visit the Applications tab on RAM’s website to learn more and submit a vendor interest form.
