Kitty Clark Fritz/Special to the Tribune

Cecilia Velasco (left), owner of Corazon Chicano Arts, visits with customer Merimee Moffit at Velasco's booth at the Neighborhood Market on Gold Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets. The Downtown market began in May and meets once a month.

Kitty Clark Fritz/Special to the Tribune

Bill Hall juggles while listening to the music of Los Primos during the Neighborhood Market, a monthly event Downtown for artists and musicians. The next market is on July 21. "Our dream is to have it on a weekly basis," market organizer Susana Lucero says.

Kitty Clark Fritz/Special to the Tribune

Chamizal MacPherson, a member of the Albuquerque Art Trading Card Group, shakes glitter off a card she created at the Neighborhood Market on Gold Street Downtown. The group set up a booth for members and shoppers to design and create trading cards.

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For Susana Lucero, Albuquerque is a big neighborhood and Downtown is her playground.

But Lucero dreamed of sharing that playground with others during the day — all day. She pictured a place where artists could take to the streets and sell their work.

Right behind the Flying Star restaurant between Seventh and Eighth streets Southwest, Susana Lucero and her husband, Juan Lucero, founders of Lucero Entertainment, are building an artists' market with a unique mix of Southwestern, indie and alternative art.

They call it the Neighborhood Market, offering a variety of vendors, music and workshops one Saturday per month.

"This is something perfect to revitalize Downtown Albuquerque," Susana Lucero said.

Lucero was born in Chicago and has lived in Kansas, but she says she has loved Albuquerque since moving here in 2001.

Two years ago, when she made handcrafts and bath and body products, she participated in an arts and crafts show but was disappointed by the lack of organization.

"This could be so much better, with music and more activities," she said she thought at the time. "Especially in New Mexico, that is very well known because of its artists.

"Why don't we plan this?" Lucero said she asked her husband. Inspired by Boston's South End Open Market, an outdoor farmer's market that includes artists, the Luceros contacted the founder Chris Masci.

"As long as you care for the artists and for the community, I believe you will make it a success," Susana said she was told by Masci.

The Luceros launched the market May 12 with plans for a weekly event.

Because they were dealing with the vendors, marketing, permits, and Web site by themselves, they quickly switched to a less frequent schedule to allow more time to promote it.

They reintroduced the Neighborhood Market as a monthly event June 23 with 25 vendors, two workshops, Thai cuisine and five bands.

"Our dream is to have it on a weekly basis," Susana said.

Variety is a keyword in their plan. For example, they turned down jewelry vendors after seeing a surplus. They also look out for good price ranges.

"Quality is good and nice, you can get something for $15, and you can get something for $35," Susana said.

The next market is on July 21, and they are expecting to have 25-30 vendors.

"I think there's great potential in the concept," said Scott White, a contemporary furniture maker who sold at the last market. "It is diverse and multicultural."

From designs of "cakes" made of diapers as a gift for baby showers to furniture built with sustainable materials, the Neighborhood Market has a wide range to offer.

Jewelry, handcrafts, independent designer's handbags, pottery, among other objects are exhibited in the market.

Bands with different styles of music offer live entertainment throughout the whole day. "It is very important to have music in any event," said Roblyn Crawford, who plays drums in the band Fast Heart Mart. "I really like the way they are doing it with one mic."

There are also activities. For example, an artist trading cards workshop allows vendors and passers-by to create their own cards out of any material to trade with others at the market. Measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches, like baseball cards, the cards can be made on metal, wood, canvas or paper, be done in pencil, watercolor and oil, among other materials.

"It is a great way to meet people and get the community involved in the arts," Susana Lucero said. "It makes art accessible to everyone."

There is also children's entertainment, like sidewalk painting, and a balloon art activity.

Acting president and CEO for the Downtown Action Team Brian Morris said the market "is an asset to Downtown."

Located one block south of the Albuquerque Downtown Growers Market, it complements Saturday family activities Downtown, Morris said."It is a good venue for families to come and enjoy the weekend," Morris said. "It is wonderful to see local artists out there, and neighborhood people shopping."

Morris said market draws its strength from the 25,000 people who live within a mile radius of Downtown.

Customers like it, too.

"It would be great if it works out in a long-term basis," said Fred Sandoval, who visited the market last month.