When Offshore Property became part of Ballard Hall Group last fall, co-owners of the real estate company, Robin Lewis and Cory Black, found themselves with another year on their lease. What to do to utilize the building they had called home for years? Reinvent it as a marketplace to showcase Block Island artists and crafters. And so, Offshore Marketplace was born.Lewis said she thought it would be a great use of the space in the “Spartan Building” on Ocean Avenue and at the same time could help local makers – and there are many.The store now is a second home to local photographers, painters and printmakers, fiber artists and those who make candles, cutting boards, and coffee. There is even a salt-maker. Many of these people also sell their wares at the Block Island FarmersMarket, so this is an opportunity for them to expand their reach beyond market days. For some, the space is an opportunity tohave a second retail location.Jessie Edwards, who is famous for her renditions of local buildings in pen and ink, has some of her prints on display. They share space on the wall with photographs by Tracy Finn and Ross Draper. Draper also
