For Immediate Release

October 8, 2021

Evanston Made Hosts Holiday Market In Retail Space Donated by GW Properties in Downtown Evanston

Evanston, IL — This holiday season, Evanston Made is hosting “Shop Evanston Made,” a holiday market at the former Urban Outfitters location at 921 Church Street in Downtown Evanston. The storefront is owned by GW Properties, which is partnering with Evanston Made and Downtown Evanston to create a vibrant, art-filled experience for all ages during November and December.

 

GW Properties is donating 13,000 square feet of vacant retail space to Evanston Made for the project. “We are always looking for creative uses of our spaces beyond just securing a lease. Evanston Made has a track record of supporting hundreds of creatives in this market, and we want to support their impactful work,” says Mitch Goltz of GW Properties.

The holiday market will feature art and handmade goods by Evanston Made members in addition to “Meet the Makers” nights, film screenings, art demos, live music and more. The l programming calendar will be available at evanstonmade.org. 

Annie Coakley, Executive Director of Downtown Evanston: “This is an ideal partnership. Evanston Made members are enthusiastic and connected in the community, so they will attract big crowds to the market.”  

Evanston Made has hosted numerous community art events and markets and is excited to fill 13,000 square feet with art, handmade goods and other creative experiences. In February 2021, Evanston Made partnered with Canal Shores Golf Course to create the first-ever “Winter Wonderland,” which featured curated art installations throughout the golf course in trees and on the greens. Hundreds of  community members created and explored art in nature. 

“Evanston Made can utilize any space to create opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs to connect with new audiences. We are grateful to GW Properties for this opportunity to provide a unique shopping and art experience this holiday season,” says Lisa Degliantoni, Executive Director of Evanston Made. 

Evanston Made will announce further details about the holiday pop up market and special event at evanstonmade.org and on Facebook and Instagram. 

About the Collaborators 

Downtown Evanston
Downtown Evanston is a 501(c) (6) corporation established in 1987 that works with commercial and residential property owners, businesses, nonprofits and the City of Evanston to enhance and promote the downtown district through marketing, events, maintenance and other services. The organization is the sole service provider to Special Service Area (SSA) #9 and is funded through an additional levy on commercial properties within the SSA district boundaries. Downtownevanston.org 

Evanston Made

Evanston Made is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization with the mission to connect Evanston creatives to the public through programming and events. Learn more at evanstonmade.org

GW Properties

GW Properties is a full service real estate development and investment company based in Chicago that specializes in retail properties. Learn more at gwproperties.com

For additional information, please contact Lisa Degliatoni, Executive Director of Evanston Made at info[at]evanstonmade.org or (847)544-8205.