- Photo Credit: Art by Martin Kasper, artisan of Art Market Craft Sale
If you’re looking for some unique buys for loved ones or decorations to prepare your house for holiday festivities, then you’ve come to the right blog. Whatever is on your shopping list this year can probably be found at the Art Market Craft Sale taking place at the Telus Convention Centre this upcoming weekend. Plus, you get to support Calgary's local art scene which is bringing people downtown to witness the vitality of the Centre City while supporting Calgary's Cultural Capital designation at the same time.
The sale is returning for it 26th anniversary event, running from November 15-18 and will feature more than 200 vendors. What makes Art Market unique is that it features a lineup of carefully chosen Canadian artisans, skilled in their craft. Not only are visitors guaranteed a unique shopping experience but they are also mostly supporting local, handcrafted quality products through their purchases.
What we love about the Art Market Craft Sale is that it allows Calgarians the opportunity to appreciate beautiful and handcrafted gifts. Each piece conveys a story and is uniquely designed unlike the mass produced commercial items many find at the mall. From ornate jewelry to pottery the market has it all. Marlene Looney of Art Market describes the venue as an experience, "potters discover new techniques, painters investigate new themes, a jeweler may develop a whole new aesthetic approach. That is what makes handcrafted gifts extraordinary. You won't find the exact same piece again next year - the creativity just keeps coming!"
Just to give you a taste of what shoppers can anticipate we will highlight one of feature artisans of this year’ Art Market. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Marcel Dionne (not the Hall of Fame hockey player) has always had a passion for woodwork – it wasn’t until he met his other passion in life, his wife, that they formed their company IMAGINE WOOD in 1999. Since then, the couple has been designing and creating handmade wooden tools and kitchen utensils. Check out some of their work at the 2012 Art Market.
Over the many years it has been operation, the roots of the Art Market Craft Sale have remained the same even as the event has grown immensely. Back in 1986 Art Market featured just 40 tables but this year the event will draw in 200 talented artisans from all over Canada. As Calgary is clearly a city that values culture (need we mention our Cultural Capital designation again?), we are confident that this market will only continue to prosper in the heart of Centre City.
Take some time this weekend and visit the Art Market with your friends and family, admission is an affordable $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, for further details including hours and parking visit the Art Market website. We would love to hear what unique finds you bring home, please post a comment to fill us in!
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