Sorry for the delay on this post, I know you've all been anxiously anticipating the answers to my burning questions! This post required a bit of research, calling out to the Internets for an archival photo, and was interrupted by SLUG Queens. But all that's over now and we can proceed...
As you will recall, in my last post I was puzzling over the coincidence and feasibility of 5¢ Architecture and 5¢ Web Design from these gentlemen:
On Saturday afternoon I set out from my home base next to the stage for the far side of the West Park Block to get some answers. The booths weren't next to each other this time, but they were both there, ready to give answers. Since I wasn't actually asking about architecture or web design, I got those answers for free!
First I asked "How does 5¢ Architecture work??" The nice gentleman in the booth, who is actually Will Dixon's co-worker Travis, explained that the booth is there to empower people to engage with architecture and make it work for them. You can ask a question about a remodeling job, about how to go about starting a project, or anything architecture related. Obviously, you're not going to get plans drawn up for 5¢, but you can approach with a problem or question and get advice on how to move towards a solution. Of course the 5¢ Architects will be happy to enter a client relationship with you, if you so desire.
I also found out where the idea came from. We all remember Lucy's "Psychiatric Help 5¢" stand from the Peanuts cartoon. There was even a "Lucy Booth" at Saturday Market for many years, run by a local mental health group. This is where the archival photo comes in, it was taken by Michael Connelly and is actually from the Oregon Country Fair version of the booth in 1986.
Inspired by the same cartoon, an architect in Seattle, John Morefield, set up an "Architecture 5¢" booth at the Ballard Farmers Market back in 2009. His idea spread through the American Institute of Architects, and locally Willard Dixon decided to start dispensing 5¢ advice at our Market last year.
You can find an NPR story about John Morefield's original booth
here, or check out
architecture5cents.com to learn more.
Meanwhile, way off in Austin, Texas, Will Alkin's wife heard that same NPR story and told her web designer husband about it. He decided to try the idea with Web Design in Austin last February, setting up at the Barton Creek Farmers Market. The venture was successful. When he and his wife decided to move to Eugene, Will looked forward to seeing if he would be able to set up at our Market. As he was exploring that option, Market Manager Beth told him about the Architecture 5¢ booth, already part of the Market scene. So, on the morning of July 30, Will showed up to sell for his first time, and just chose a space he thought would be good. Will and Travis showed up with Architecture 5¢ in the next space. It was cosmic coincidence indeed! You can stop by Will's booth for some 5¢ web design advice, or have a look at
webdesign5cents.com.
So now you know you can still get something valuable for 5¢, come and get it!
