The country's economic downturn hasn't been kind to anybody, and it especially hasn't been kind to artists. This is a reality Richard Fritz, co-manager of Art Flea KC Market, realizes all too well.

"If you think about it, art is always the first thing that gets cut in schools when you look at budget cutbacks," Mr. Fritz says. "Folks aren't running out to buy paintings if they are worried about their electric bill."

Times of struggle and uncertainty often can foster creativity, and this is part of the reason why the Art Flea KC Market was invented in the first place.

Located in the ArtsTech Center at 1522 Holmes St. in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the Art Flea KC Market is where artists get a weekly venue to display their work and where consumers can buy it at an affordable cost.

The venue got its start a year ago, when two non-profit organizations, ArtsTech and Storytellers Inc., wanted to give artists of all types something they desperately need.

"Local artists we figured would need some type of venue for the public to access them directly," Mr. Fritz says. "We had a means to be able to do that."

In the 8,500 square feet of gallery space on the ArtsTech Center's second floor, artists pay a $25 vendor fee to be able to set up and sell. And Art Flea KC's guests don't have to worry about spending a big chunk of change to purchase some original work. The price range for most items ranges from $1 to $50.

"We wanted to keep a nice broad audience to get the general public interested," Mr. Fritz says. "We wanted to make it affordable for everyone."

Since beginning its run in May, Mr. Fritz says that there have between 25 and 35 artists displaying work at peak times. People can purchase painting and photography prints, woodwork, tons of silver, beaded and antique jewelry, dolls, antiques, recycled goods and crafts. You could also catch artists creating original works in the studio, doing caricatures or magic tricks and the types of vendors varies from week to week.

"Just because you came down the Saturday before doesn't mean you'll see the same thing the next time," Mr. Fritz says.

Loni Hosking, an artist from Lawrence, Kan., who specializes in "creative recycling," says Art Flea KC has given her a great chance to introduce her work to a new area.

"(It's an) opportunity to sell, opportunity to expose KC to my stuff," she says. "This little Art Flea could potentially be amazing."

And sometimes, Art Flea KC's perks don't even have a price tag.

"Some artists just need lots of compliments," Ms. Hosking says. "It makes you want to go make art."

The attention Art Flea KC offers comes as a surprise to some artists. Kathy White-Bagby, a Kansas City artist and owner of Mrs. B's Crafts and Things, specializes in making handmade dolls, handbags and hats. She began showing her work at Art Flea KC back in late August and it's already earned new appreciation.

"When I came down here, I thought I wasn't going to fit in," Ms. White-Bagby says. "(Now), there's people who wonder where I'm at when I miss a weekend."

Part of what Mr. Fritz says Art Flea KC does for visitors is not only give them affordable art but also open up their concept of what art can be.

"The perception of art... I think it's gotten skewed over time," he says. "There's a lot of local artists, there's a lot of regional artists here, who have not gone to the New York galleries and gotten their works in but they sell good works."

But that doesn't mean that some more successful artists don't occasionally show up. KC photographer/painter/printmaker Damian Arredondo sets up shop at Art Flea KC on occasion. On his Web site www.yessy.com/artdea, his prints sell for $30 and $200 - but not at Art Flea KC.

"I sell (my work) for more than half price," Mr. Arredondo says. "I think it's really cool or else I wouldn't be here."

Considering Art Flea KC provides a venue that's cost-friendly for both artists and consumers, Mr. Fritz hopes it continues to give creative types a much-needed venue to display their work and garner their own recognition.

"The Art Flea is a venue in which they can afford to advertise," he says. "The longer we're around, the more effective that is because people know that we exist."

The Art Flea KC Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday through Dec. 19. For more information, call (816) 461-0201 or go to http://artflea.blogspot.com/.

Lifestyles reporter Blake Hannon can be reached at blakehannon@npgco.com