This summer in downtown Gainesville, a new skill is just around the corner.
How Bazar has officially reintroduced its summertime skillshare sessions, starting every Monday for the next four months at 60 SW Second St. From DJing to birdhouse-building, to furniture repurposing and car maintenance repair, there’s a little something for anyone looking to expand their repertoire or spend a nice evening downtown.
On May 20, a crowd of 12 people gathered at the How Bazar to learn a crafty skill — crochet.
A member of the UF-based crochet club, Crafting Care at UF, led a beginner-friendly lesson on how to crochet stalks of purple flowers. From 7 to 9 p.m., participants crafted in a relaxed group, following detailed step-by-step instructions.
Laila Fakhoury is the co-owner of How Bazar, and sat among the curious participants in attendance at the May 20 event.
It’s important to provide an accessible entry point for learning new skills and keeping active during the summer weeks in Gainesville, Fakhoury said.
“There's so much happening here, despite what people think,” Fakhoury said. “If you really pay attention there's just all different types of communities and circles and networks that are doing their own activities or events.”
Quinlan Richmond, a 17-year-old How Bazar intern, spoke of the creative spirit unique to Gainesville.
“I think teach-ins like this represent that creativity is really alive and well,” Richmond said.
He also emphasized how Gainesville is a friendly, inclusive city to learn new skills.
“I don't know how to crochet, but this would be the one place that I would come to learn,” Richmond said.
Zzz Zawacki is a 25-year-old artist and graphic designer who attended Monday’s event with their partner, 29-year-old Gainesville resident, Tristan Chandler.
Zawacki appreciated the event’s affordability and accessibility for curious Gainesville residents eager to learn a new skill.
“I think having this opens up the opportunity because a lot of skillshares are very out of price points for a lot of people in the community, especially nowadays,” Zawacki said.
Not only did the pair leave the event with a new skill, but they also found a good spot for a double date, they said.
“We’re definitely going to be back next Monday,” Chandler said.
Contact Carlos Alemany at calemany@alligator.org Follow him on X @clos_alemany
Carlos Alemany is a fourth year political science student and the Alligator's 2024 Criminal Justice Reporter. In his free time, you you may catch him thrifting or sketching in Gainesville.
