WORK TRADE POSITIONS

Gather encourages a collaborative market atmosphere with our artists. If you enjoy community-building and would like to play a direct role in shaping the vibe and success of the market, we offer work trade positions in exchange for a free booth (normally $60). Our ideal collaborators are self-directed, proactive, and excited to bring their own ideas and skills, not folks who need step-by-step instruction. Below are our past work-trade options, along with expectations and suggested timelines. 

If you see yourself in one of these roles or have an idea not listed here, please send an email directly to gatherartmarket@gmail.com at the time of your application. Unfortunately our market can only support a few work trade positions so preference will go to those applicants who can best demonstrate their commitment to the role.

RAFFLE ORGANIZER

Plans and runs a charitable fundraiser (past causes include Planned Parenthood, Mountain Strong, Gaza family evacuation, Trista Hudzik medical support).

Responsibilities:
 • Choose charitable recipient/cause
 • Communicate with artists about prize donations
 • Run raffle (in-person at market or online via Instagram)
 • Collect entries, draw winner(s), coordinate prize delivery

Timeline:
 • Begin outreach 3–4 weeks before the market

POSTER HANGER

Ideal for someone frequently out and about in Burnsville/Asheville/Penland. 

Responsibilities:
 • Print 25 color posters (file provided) and hang in required Burnsville locations + optional nearby towns
 • Keep simple list/map of poster locations and share with organizer

Required — Burnsville: Carriage House • Town Center board • Yummy Yarns • Community Board (App Java) • App Java • Something Special (window) • Root Down Depot • Homeplace • Hearth • Birdfoot • Barkin’ Basement

Suggested Other Areas (some combination of these):
 Penland/Spruce Pine: Penland Coffee House • Penland boards • Fox & Fig • Treats
 Celo: Celo Community Center
 Mars Hill/Marshall: Zuma • Flow • Zadies • Marshall Library
 Asheville: Poppy • BattleCat • Farewell • Asheville Art Museum board
 Weaverville: Yellow Mug • Maggie B’s • Well-Bred Bakery

Timeline:
 • Posters up 2–4 weeks before market

MUSIC COORDINATOR

Ideal for someone with musician connections.

Responsibilities:
 • Book 3–4 musicians for 30–40 min sets
 • Gather can offer a $100 market stipend (split between performers)
 • Manage all communication with musicians
 • Provide or coordinate sound system
 • Encourage signage/tip jars for musicians
 • Send confirmed set list to organizers

Timeline:
 • Musicians booked 3+ weeks before
 • Final details sent 3–4 days prior

POSTER DESIGNER

Designs official poster for the market.

Responsibilities:
 • Create print-ready poster + Instagram post + story sizes
 • Incorporate Gather branding/fonts/colors
 • Provide final PDF (print) + JPGs (web)

Timeline:
 • Poster finalized 4–5 weeks before market

GATHER TABLE

• Staff the Gather info table
 • Answer questions, collect emails, sell merch (if applicable)
 • Capture a few photos/videos/timelapses for organizers

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER

• Capture photos or short video at market
 • Deliver 15–30 edited images or a 30–60 sec highlight reel 1-2 weeks after the market

MARKET DECOR / VIBE COORDINATOR

• Coordinates with the organizers to set up up ambiance: banners, plants, lighting, signs, hang-out spaces
 • Great for someone creative and atmosphere-minded

ACTIVITY HOST

• Run simple craft or coloring table for kids
 • OR coordinate artist demos

PUBLICITY OUTREACH

Handles press + community outreach to increase attendance.

Required Tasks:
 • Send press release to: Mountain Xpress, Laurel of Asheville, Yancey Times Journal
 • Submit event to provided online calendars
 • Post in 5–7 Facebook groups via Gather account (Burnsville Hub, Burnsville NC Happenings, Yancey County Community Forum, Asheville Art Scene, Asheville Makers & Creatives, Asheville Local Events)
 • Optional: submit to Asheville Made, Burnsville.com, additional calendars. Advertise on radio (coordinate with Gather organizers who will pay)

Timeline:
 • Press release: 5–6 weeks before market event
 • Calendar submissions: 3–4 weeks before
 • Facebook posts: 2–3 weeks before + reminder week of

Event Submission Links:
 Mountain Xpress Events • Laurel of Asheville • Romantic Asheville • Explore Asheville • Burnsville/Yancey Chamber • Facebook Event
 Optional: Asheville Made • WNC Magazine

Checklist:
 Press (5–6 weeks before): send press release to MX, Laurel, Yancey Times
 Calendars (3–4 weeks before): MX Events • Laurel • Explore AVL • Romantic AVL • Burnsville/Yancey Chamber
 Facebook (2-3 weeks before): share event to 5–7 groups; re-share week of market

Pre-Written Press Release (editable)
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 Gather Art Market Announces Upcoming Handmade Market Featuring The Next Generation of WNC Craftspeople
 Burnsville, NC — Gather Art Market will host its upcoming handmade market featuring independent artists, makers, and craftspeople from across Western North Carolina. Work includes ceramics, prints, textiles, jewelry, herbal goods, woodworking, home goods, and one-of-a-kind art.
 Known for a warm, intimate atmosphere and high-quality work, Gather brings together established artists, new makers, and the community for a day of connection and creativity. Past markets have included live music, photographers, raffles, and collaborative artist involvement.

Event Details
 Date: [Insert]
 Time: [Insert]
 Location: Hearth Glass & Gallery — 410 W Main St, Burnsville, NC
 Website: gatherartmarket.com • Instagram: @gatherartmarket
 Free + family-friendly; shop from more than [insert] WNC makers.