Gulf Coast Marketplace invites sponsors

Louisiana folk artist "Dot-tee" Ratcliff

Launched just two months ago, over 40 artists have already signed-up to participate in the Gulf Coast Marketplace. This virtual festival and craft fair helps sell their hand-crafted products to a global market while promoting and celebrating Louisiana’s rich culture and heritage. Most importantly, it provides opportunity for economic growth and financial independence for households that have been faced with multiple challenges.

Please scroll through BayouResilience.com for background on some of the talented artists now featured on the site. Our goal is to have 100 participating by September 2012.

Louisiana-based Options for Independence, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit social service agency, continues to fund the initial start-up of this project as one of its six community recovery initiatives. The business model for future development of the Gulf Coast Marketplace relies on support from sponsors and partners that share our in our mission.

A $1,500 Individual Artist Sponsorship provides for initial inventory purchase as well as

Photo by Lisa Scott

equipment, supplies and tech support for the artist. Most importantly, it brings immediate income into the artist’s household and funding for their start-up and business development.  Options is also seeking Major and Supporting sponsors from organizations that want to contribute to the long-term mission, development and marketing of this e-commerce solution for community recovery.

Wood base created from fallen tree by John Barrios

If you would like to participate as a sponsor and/or if you should know of a individuals or organizations that may be willing to assist us in the development of the Gulf Coast Marketplace, please contact me at, 504-875-3932 or jim@thegulfcoastmarketplace.org.

I would love to hear from you. – Jim Pittman

The mission of the Gulf Coast Marketplace is to contribute to community recovery by providing opportunities for economic growth and financial independence, especially for those impacted by disaster.