photo by: John Young/Journal-World Photo

Etta Otter browses treasure balls with her mom, Courtney, both of Lawrence, at the annual Bizarre Bazaar on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, at the Lawrence Arts Center.

Although Lawrence’s annual Bizarre Bazaar shopping event now draws more than a hundred artists every year, the event got its start as a small, intimate affair.

“The event began about 31 years ago because a small group of artists ‘didn’t fit’ in traditional art fair settings,” said Jerry Dowdle, who leads the event’s press team. “They started in Nan Renbarger’s living room and met to trade, holiday shop and enjoy each other’s art.”

Since then, the “BizBaz” has grown into a hub for local artists and shoppers, featuring a variety of original and unusual handcrafted specialty items. This includes ceramics, papier-mache, upcycled art and more gift items.

This year’s sale will be at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Live entertainment and food will be available, organizers said.

Kimber Wright, one of the artists at the bazaar, said the show is a fun way to support local artists.

“More than that, artists are showing some of their best and most quirky, unique and one-of-a-kind work,” Wright said. “This is meant to be a standout show, not your run-of-the-mill craft show.”

For more details on the event, check out the event page, Facebook and Twitter.

Bizarre Bazaar’s 2019 flyer created by local artist Laura Pennock