May 15, 2017

Meet Sierra Alberty of Artists & Fleas in Venice

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Alberty.

Sierra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I moved out to Los Angeles from Chicago about a year ago, and knew from the beginning that I wanted to work in events. I had just gotten done helping my sister plan her wedding, and discovered how much I loved bringing people together and creating a memorable experience from the ground up. I knew that somehow, I wanted find a way to be a part of that in LA.

I had stumbled across Artists & Fleas while wandering around in Venice when I first moved here, and instantly fell in love with the energy. You’re surrounded by artists, one-of-a-kind pieces, and other people who enjoy and appreciate that art.

It’s a place you can walk away with something that’s guaranteed to have a story behind it. You can walk away with something saying “I know who made this. I know where this came from”, and I think that’s really special to have a place that’s dedicated to that. You don’t get that same experience shopping at a mall.

So after leaving the market, I immediately reached out to them to see if they were hiring, and then I started on as a production assistant. From there, I eventually became the LA Production Coordinator, and the rest is history!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In addition to our Venice location, we’ve lived at two different locations in the DTLA Arts District. We are now looking into producing a neighborhood tour of LA starting later this fall, where we will pop up for full weekends in different neighborhoods, so definitely stay tuned for that!

There are also many factors that come into play when hosting an outdoor event, and weather is a huge one! This past winter brought a lot of rain and with that a lot of challenges. Since then, we’ve learned how to plan ahead logistically when we know there is going to be bad weather to make sure the merchants and visitors have a great experience.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Artists & Fleas – what should we know?
The founders, Ronen Glimer and Amy Abrams, started Artists & Fleas in 2003 with the intent to create a place where local emerging artists, indie designers, vintage collectors and enthusiasts can show and sell together, all while getting valuable interaction with customers and creating long-lasting connections with other creative-minded people.

What started out as one market in a warehouse in Brooklyn eventually expanded to multiple markets across the U.S., including the Chelsea Market in Manhattan, Soho, and Los Angeles in 2014. The Venice market opened last spring in the heart of Venice, on Abbot Kinney Blvd & Westminster, and has since become a bi-monthly community event where locals and visitors can have an extraordinary shopping experience.

Since opening its doors, Artists & Fleas has hosted thousands of artists, and with new merchants each week, you’ll never have the same experience twice. It’s a vibrant community for those who love to sell, and a destination for those who love to shop.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
At the end of the day, it’s the merchants who make us great. We aim to give them a relaxed, fun, organized and efficient environment where they can sell, but ultimately, it’s them who make the shopping experience unique. They all contribute to the amazing sense of community that exists there.

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