Discover Austin: Blue Genie Art Bazaar - Episode 108

Each year around mid-November, a unique shopping experience opens to fulfil your gift-giving needs.  We’re going to visit The Blue Genie Art Bazaar on this episode of Discover Austin.

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a popular, seasonal art show with a wide variety of goods.  Selected from an applicant pool of over 400, Blue Genie showcases 200 of the best artists in Central Texas. 

One key difference between Blue Genie and your typical art & craft show is that the artists do not man their booths.  Instead, bazaar employees handle sales and answer questions.  They’ve found that this allows customers to shop without feeling pressured to make a purchase.  It also allows the artists more time to make their art.  Artists must apply each year to participate, even in they’ve been a part of the bazaar in the past.

In addition to shopping in person, you can also shop online and choose to pick up items at the bazaar or have them shipped.  There’s also a personal shopper service that will assist you with finding the perfect gift for someone on your list.  Admission is free and there is plenty of free parking.  It’s also close to a MetroRail station.

If you need a bite to each while your shopping, check out the snack bar.  They’ve even got complimentary coffee.

The first Bazaar was held in 2001 when employees of Blue Genie Art Industries sold items they’d personally made.  It turned out to be successful and over the years has grown into what it is today.  As a business Blue Genie Art Industries specializes in large scale commercial fabrication.  If you’ve seen a the Berdoll Squirrel, Nessy in front of the Thinkery, or even a Torchy’s Tacos devil, then you’ve seen their work. 

There is also a spring event known as The May Market which, as the name suggests, takes place in May.  It features over 100 local artists highlighting gifts that are great for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, and more.