There’s something seemingly magical about Heartside Gallery and Studio in that keeps drawing me back with my camera. Heartside is a drop-in studio in Grand Rapids, Mich. where people are free to create without judgement no matter their circumstances. This is a refreshingly honest place where I have had the honor and privilege of meeting some fascinating artists.

There are so many stories waiting to be written at Heartside and I’m slowly collecting them one at a time.The latest story comes from Bertha Zamora. She’s a self-taught artist who makes the most intriguing pieces out of clay. She’s also an avid painter, crocheter and embroidery artist, too.

I featured Bertha in my Sunday art & craft column. You can read her story on MLive and then make plans to go meet her at Saturday’s Market featuring art by Bertha and more than 50 local artists and crafters who will be setting up shop on the street for this year’s one-day Market event sponsored by Avenue of the Arts.Check it out from 12-9 p.m. Saturday on South Division Avenue between Fulton and Williams streets.

I’ll be heading downtown to check out the Market after I finish making looms for Sunday’s opening of the Fulton Street Artisans Market. FSAM is my first show of  the season and I hope to see you there!