On the surface, the area north of Walnut Street and between College Avenue and Ninth Street is just another part of downtown Columbia.

However, this area is also known as the North Village Arts District. It houses dance studios, film companies, cafés, music venues, a farmers market and more than 100 artist studios.

From 6-8 p.m. March 19, the NVAD Farmers and Artisans Market will host its third annual progressive party and fundraiser, “Art of Food.”

Haley Schwarz, NVAD director of marketing, says Art of Food invites new people to explore this area of Columbia.

“It’s a nice way that we can combine the businesses in the NVAD, restaurants in the area and vendors from the markets,” Schwarz says. “Participants can go from place to place, mingle around and grab food or drink.”

One vendor, a partnership of four female alpaca farmers and artisans called Heartfelt, will display felted products. The featured pieces made from alpaca fleece will include small rugs, trivets, coasters, birdhouse ornaments, and a selection of wall hangings and insoles.

“Every craftsperson wants to know how people respond to their creations and which designs people like the most,” Heartfelt partner Carol Brown says. “I get to see that in person every time I do the market.”

The NVAD venues for the event will be the Root Cellar, Artlandish Gallery, The Bridge, Orr Street Studios and PS Gallery.

“(Attendees) can expect to get full-on delicious, beautifully-crafted local food and drink, and they will be able to experience all kinds of sensations with food and art,” Artlandish Gallery owner Lisa Bartlett says. “I think that whether they’ve been here before or if this is their first time at the NVAD, they will be impressed with the amount of artwork we have in our town.”

Artlandish Gallery will host Broadway Brewery and Fretboard Coffee. The menus at the other venues will include additional food and drinks from places including Adam Puchta Winery, Bleu, Trey Bistro and Sycamore.

Tickets for Art of Food are $30 for one person, $50 for two or $150 for eight. They can be purchased at the Root Cellar grocer downtown or online at [artoffood.eventzilla.net](http://www.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2139000212).

All proceeds from the event will go toward raising awareness for the Farmers and Artisans Market, which officially begins April 27. The market takes place through the end of October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wabash Station bus lot.