Faces Behind Sag Harbor Makers Market Boast Deep Artisanal Roots

Eric Fischl and wife April Gornick had dreamed of constructing a winter market like the ones the North Haven-based artists have seen in Europe around Christmastime. And with a huge variety of creators and business owners on the East End and across Long Island, the founders of The Church, an incubator for artists and makers in Sag Harbor, decided to try to turn that dream into a reality.

That happened over three years ago now, when the pair was connected through a mutual friend with Susan Nieland, who had run a market out of her East Hampton home for over a decade, showcasing her handmade jewelry along with other artists’ work.

“Eventually, as it grew, I started to have parking issues with the town, and so I was looking for a different venue,” Nieland said. “My friend knew April and Eric were looking to start a holiday market, and I loved the idea of expanding and making it the larger community event that Eric and April envisioned.”

That inaugural event in 2021 ended up being such a success that Gornick extended it to a two-day event.

“We’re thrilled about The Church’s success generally, and although we are an arts center generally, we celebrate creativity in a number of, well, creative ways that are not always thought of as ‘art,’ like supporting the people in our community who have kept their businesses going during serious economic downturns,” Gornick said.

“One of our most fun and joyous talks was having Lisa Field of the Sag Harbor Variety Store discuss how her family kept it alive for over 50 years, after its first 50. And we love the workshops Samuel Havens, our workshop and residency director, has been doing, and the local knitting circle that uses The Church. We’re always expanding, and this was another way to do that while highlighting our local creators.”

Stephanie Pinerio, owner of Southold-based Shed Textile Company, linked up with Nieland through other entrepreneurs and said she’s enjoyed being involved in the market since its inception.

“It is a highly anticipated event, because it brings together some of the best talent and products that the East End has to offer,” Pinerio said. “It has been fantastic connecting with my peers and being able to share a little piece of the North Fork with this community.”

This year, her company, founded in 2017, will be partnering with Stephanie Sack of North Fork Apothecary to bring an even larger selection of pieces to the South Fork.

“Although we are not that far from Sag Harbor, the North Fork has a unique style and ethos, and I love sharing that with people,” said Pinerio, who marries natural fibers with the art of traditional hand-weaving techniques through traditional wooden floor looms to create her pieces.

While the handwoven textiles maker touted the job that Nieland has done curating the event, saying, “There are treasures for everyone,” Pinerio said the space also is something to behold.

“It is an amazing historic space that has been beautifully renovated by artists Eric Fishl and April Gornik,” she said. “It’s worth a visit alone.”

Merilyn Konnerth, who founded Bellport-based Utopia Bath, Ltd., 11 years ago, said the atmosphere is perfect for the festive nature of the event.

“What I like about this particular market event is that the community of Sag Harbor, thanks to benefactors like the Fischls, is highly supportive of the arts, which trickles down to makers,” she said. “I have developed new customers as a result of this market and am always enriched by meeting other makers.”

East Hampton ceramist Liadain Warwick Smith also has relished the local environment. She actually first visited the market as a patron and was invited to join in on the revelries the following year.

“While I had never done any other market before, local or otherwise, I decided to try it,” Warwick Smith said. “I had a blast and met the most wonderful, thoughtful and creative people. I feel my work along with the work of other artists is seen and respected. The caliber of the artists along with the magnificent setting makes it an exceptional holiday market.”

The list of merchants is curated by Nieland, who has been designing one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings for over two decades. Lauded for its delicate craftsmanship and organic beauty, the collection was featured exclusively at Barneys New York for many years.

“I find makers through word of mouth and social media, and I look for the most talented and interesting designers and makers on the East End. We have so many,” Nieland said. “I’m friendly with a lot of local artists and artisans, and through them I’m further connected with other makers. I choose the things that I would want to buy and try to include artisans who embody the maker movement.”

The Church’s market, now held over Thanksgiving weekend, will boast 25 unique local merchants, including those in the arts, design, home goods, clothing, skincare, jewelry and artisanal food spaces. Other vendors featured this fall include Anastasia Casale of Sag Harbor Florist, Brittany Torres of Hamptons Handpoured, Tanya and Temidra Willock of Hidden Gem, Albert Zielinski of Alley Crops, photographer Jeremy Dennis, pottery-maker Mary Jaffe, jewelry designer Alex Streeter, and many more.

This year’s event also will include a pop-up print show, featuring artists of the East End who have participated in The Church’s printmaking workshops over the past year, and a community singalong at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. And the space will be transformed with decorations designed and donated by Bridgehampton-based Harmonia Inc.

Gornick said there is now discussion of another expansion: creating a harvest market.

“I’m honored to be part of this group of talented people in the area, and we are fortunate to have such a discerning and appreciative community that supports us, as well as The Church, a community arts center that is so supportive of all of the arts on the East End,” Nieland said.

“And I’m excited to see what everyone will bring to the market. I think it is such a lively and well-received event with some of the very best there is to offer on the East End all gathered under one roof right here in Sag Harbor. It is a holiday event you don’t want to miss.”