Shop high-quality jewelry, apparel, home décor, apothecary, beauty and self-care essentials, vintage finds, books, and delicious food. Best of all, vendors keep 100% of their sales–your purchase directly contributes to the thriving South Side arts and crafts ecosystem.

Vends + Vibes returns to the Arts Lawn on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 1:00 to 7:00 PM. This summer’s edition features a special performance of First Monday Jazz with Theo Reed and his Jazz Friends—bringing the bold, brassy sounds of big band jazz to kick off the season. There will be something for everyone—hands-on art activities, kid-friendly music fun with South Side Fireflies, and a chance to stretch out to the sounds and moves of House Yoga. Shop one-of-a-kind pieces from South Side artists and makers, find something special for yourself or a loved one, and ease into summer with style at Arts + Public Life.

Vends + Vibes is back—where South Side creativity meets community soul.

Vends + Vibes is Arts + Public Life’s annual summer arts marketplace celebrating South Side creative entrepreneurs. What started as a cozy winter arts market inside the Arts Incubator has grown into a sunny summer tradition on the Arts Lawn—bringing artists, makers, and neighbors together to shop, connect, and ease into the season. With DJs, live bands, and curated outdoor activities, the vibe is always lively, right in the heart of Washington Park.

Vendors

A Versatile You

A Versatile You ® ️ is a Self Care Brand with non-medicated Aromatherapy Essentials and Natural Skincare that nurture the activation of self-love through self-care for moms dealing with stress, anxiety and insomnia.

Their Aromatherapy Enriched Essentials include Candles, Room/Body Sprays, Natural and Vegan Skincare, Handbags and Digital Downloads that are handmade by Maisha Miles in Chicago, Illinois.

Bread Head Bakery

Bread Head Bakery was established in 2023 out of a love and appreciation for simple ingredients while providing fermented and nutritional bread that taste just as good as it looks. We have an array of savory and sweet baked breads that range from apple yeast rolls to sriracha country loaves for all type of bread lovers. Bread Head Bakery will help to educate all patrons on the benefits of fermented breads while providing the best most nutritious baked goods in Chicago, IL.

Curated By Cayy

Curated vintage women clothing and accessories ranging from eras between 1960’s to 2010. The vintage items are carefully selected and prepared. Curated By Cayy caters to all genders, nationalities and personalities. The goal is to recycle, reuse, and repurpose fashion items to improve the fight for sustainability while maintaining a person’s fashion identity.

digitalKENTE Shop

There is a lack of diversity in the fashion design industry, specifically in the surface design (print wear) market of prints that inspire and uplift people of color. At digitalKENTE® (pronounced “KEN-TAY”) Design Studio color melds with culture to create one-of-a-kind surface designs for people as vibrant as their color choices. The studio was established in 2016 by Tiana Denine Harris, a Black woman from the American mid-west who grew up in the 90’s wearing kente cloth as a way to connect to her distant heritage. Our goal is to encourage self-pride and self-expression in people of melanin-rich cultures through unapologetically colorful, fashionable prints made for activewear, swimwear, accessories, and home decor.

IceBoxx

IceBoxx is a Chicago-based dessert company blending bold flavors with a deep love for community. We specialize in small-batch cookies, creamy homemade ice cream, refreshing lemonades, and nostalgic freeze pops—all made with real ingredients and no shortcuts. Every treat is crafted to bring back joyful memories and create new ones. Whether we’re shipping cookies nationwide or popping up at local markets, IceBoxx is here to spread love, flavor, and connection—one sweet bite at a time.

La Juicy Jars

ILAVA is a social enterprise brand offering African-inspired fashion for socially conscious women. Handmade in Tanzania by local artisans, we ensure fair wages, dignified working conditions and creating a positive impact. By addressing exploitation of the Global South, ILAVA strives for a just and fair fashion industry. We empower women to look good while doing good, proving that valuing people and profit can coexist.

October Lotus

October Lotus is a holistic healing company offering herbal teas for health and wellness.

Solo Noir + Zen Soul Apothecary

Wellness products for men and women including grooming products and chakra based selfcare products.

SOULAR POWERED

Soular Powered is a vibrant stationery and gift brand founded by artist Rashidah Sales. Inspired by her roots in Brooklyn and a lifelong passion for design, Rashidah creates joyful, heartfelt products that celebrate creativity, culture, and connection. From greeting cards and planners to holiday gifts and artful journals, every piece is crafted to spark inspiration and delight.

Tabby’s Closets

At Tabby’s Closets LLC, our mission is to empower women through curated fashion experiences that celebrate individuality, confidence, and style. We strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where every woman feels valued, inspired, and beautiful. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and personalized service, we aim to exceed expectations and foster lasting connections with our customers, while contributing positively to the community we serve.

Tinctured Roots

At Tinctured Roots, we believe in the power of nature’s most essential herbs, distilled into concentrated tinctures for your daily wellness. We create single herb tinctures using clean ingredients, prioritizing the simplicity of the plant so you can experience the targeted phytochemical benefits of each plant

Wurus Art Jewelry

aplomb modern|vintage

aplomb modern|vintage is a lifestyle collection of preloved apparel, jewelry, home decor & accessories. Our curated ephemera proudly celebrates the nostalgia of Black culture with style and love.

Chicago Torture Justice Memorials Foundation

Chicago Torture Justice Memorials Foundation (CTJMF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to facilitate the creation and construction of the memorial promised as part of the reparations legislation for Chicago Police Torture Survivors passed by Chicago’s City Council in 2015. CTJMF is both a fundraising and project management entity focused on seeing the Burge torture survivors memorial into existence. Formed by torture survivors and organizers from the #ReparationsWon movement, CTJMF operates with the goal of obtaining full funding for and constructing the memorial.

Dana Todd Pope Fine Art

Dana Todd Pope provides wall art, throw pillows, clothing and other children's goods created for conscious consumers seeking representation, affirmation and inspiration.

Hemp Heals Body Shop Inc.

Hemp Heals Body Shop is a solo woman minority-owned business that provides premium and luxurious CBD-infused bath/body products that'll help our customers live a pain & stress-free life! We curate products such as our Signature It's a Miracle CBD Pain Relief Salve, Calm Me Down CBD Oil Drops, Relax, Relate, Release CBD Bath Salts, Rise & Shine/Sleep Well Gummies, as well as a savory Drizzle Me Baby CBD Infused Cooking Oil Set!

ILAVA

Liquid Dyet Vegan Nail Polish

Liquid Dyet was born out of a personal need for healthy, expressive nail care that didn’t compromise on beauty or wellness. As a vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free nail polish brand, my goal is to offer more than just color—I aim to inspire self-expression, confidence, and self-care through every bottle.

Red Elephant Co.

Hand design home decor that gives a grounding and sophisticated energy to your home

Selou Inc

Selou is a fashion accessory brand offering a thoughtfully designed and curated line of handmade pieces where tradition and trend meet in perfect balance. Each item is created to reflect confidence, individuality and cultural richness. Our collections are crafted by skilled artisans, with whom we collaborated closely with during our 2024 travels to develop our inaugural line. We take pride in celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship behind each piece - honoring traditional techniques while embracing contemporary design. From bold statement pieces to refined everyday essentials, Selou is for those who lead with style and aren't afraid to stand out.

Souil

souil is a dynamic traveling collection of Black artist publications, serving as a pop-up installation and activation holding space for talks that elevate and celebrate the significance of Black art in physical media

Stoviink Creatives

Stoviink Creatives is a culture-driven artisan brand crafting home and body products that blend artistry, storytelling, and intentional design. Specializing in fine fragrances, candles, soaps, and lifestyle goods, we create pieces that elevate daily living and celebrate the richness of Black heritage. Every product is thoughtfully made, balancing luxury with authenticity, creativity with tradition. At our core, Stoviink Creatives is about more than commerce — it’s about building experiences that connect people to culture, craft, and community. With a commitment to quality and innovation, we’re shaping a brand that honors the past while pushing creative boundaries for the future. Our collections, pop-up events, and retail experiences invite customers into a world where excellence, soul, and style meet. Stoviink Creatives is not just what we make — it’s a reflection of how we live, create, and inspire.

Tendaji Body Oils

We are a family-owned business of 4-generations that specialize in skin and haircare products. Our skin & haircare products are handcrafted with plant-based ingredients for all skin types and textures. Our ingredients include: Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary and more. Using our products will improve the appearance of the skin, provide moisture and get rid of hyperpigmentation. We have no chemicals, parabens in the products nor do we test on animals.

Trading Races Game

Trading Races is a card game that’s part party game, part educational, and 100% thought provoking. Dubbed the Blackest card game ever by Vice News, Trading Races asks players to argue who's the Blackest