Schenectady holds first-time night market with a twist

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hundreds of Schenectady residents gathered Saturday evening for a farmer's market, but not just an ordinary market. "Nightmare on Jay Street" was Schenectady's first night market, featuring weird and wicked art.

"You're going to see things that are a little strange and unusual, wicked and weird, and things tha people would typically call Halloween-y," said Kayla Ek, director and owner of Nightmare on Jay Street.

Kayla said the goal behind this idea was to spotlight alternative art and bring the community together. To do so, she transformed Jay Street Marketplace into a quirky market that Schenectady had never seen before.

"Celebrating the alternative community for the whole community instead of it just being an event just for them, we're inviting everybody to come and celebrate everything they make, how they are different and what they do," said Kayla.

Over 50 vendors set up their artwork along Jay Street Marketplace, and most of the artists were local. They showcased designs such as custom-made fans, wands, jewelry, paintings, hats, clothes and plenty more. One artist had decorated bones on display as well.

"This is a cow, her name is Chelsea, so I bought the bone and then I get to make art out of it," said Livia, the owner of ZZGoblinn.

Another artist handmade things like wands, fairy wings and earrings using many natural materials, including fruits and flowers.

"This one [wand] here is made out of a sunflower stem it has amethyst clear quartz and then it has an evil eye so its really good for protection," said Cheyenne Clarke, owner of Womb to Womb Adornments.

There was even a nonprofit organization, Whispering Willow Wild Care that helps injured wildlife like owls by raising money to keep them alive and healthy. Joyce Perry, owner of this organization held her owl on Saturday night, allowing people to see what these birds are like.

Regardless of the type of product the vendors displayed, Cheyenne believed this was an important recognition for artists like herself.

“I think that oftentimes when we think of art, we think of fine art instead of art as a way to bring people together to express your most vulnerable parts of yourself," said Cheyenne.

Another vendor, Lilly Chinruiz, the owner of Lilliko sold decorated fans and prosperity dragons. She believed Saturday's market brought a valuable sense of community for Schenectady residents.

“As a whole I think it's nice to bring the community together and I hope everybody just walks away with a renewed vigor of childlike magic and fun," said Lilly.

According to Kayla, there will be more markets like this starting in May 2025. They will happen every third Saturday in May and October of 2025. For more information, visit their website.