Last year Circle Craft and the Craft Council of BC put on a first Summer Craft Market and it was held at Jack Poole Plaza next to the new Convention Centre. When it was announced that the event would be offered again this year I decided that I’d really like to go. The weather was perfect today – sunny and not too hot, and the location is ideal. Locals can take transit to Waterfront Station to avoid expensive downtown parking fees and tourists are in abundance. We couldn’t help seeing an enormous cruise ship moored just nearby.
Alan and I took the skytrain from Lougheed Town Centre (two more years and we’ll be able to take it from Port Moody!) and had a short walk past the old and new convention centres. Large tents are set up in the space next to the Olympic Cauldron and there’s no entry fee for the Market. Lots of the folks who rent a space at the huge Circle Craft Christmas Market were here today so I wandered amongst the stalls for a couple of hours. Al took a look and then left for a meeting with archaeology friends while I enjoyed the Fine Crafts and lots of conversations with potters.
I saw a wooden toy maker, clothing designers, beeswax candle makers, lots of jewellers, painters, photographers, fimo creators and children’s clothing makers. Unlike the Christmas event there were no gourmet food booths or decorations and I saw no garden embellishments. The latter would have been a good fit for a summer market.
Of course I’m drawn to the salt-firing potters, first chatting with Sandra Ramos who had her husband the musician and her mother helping out. The sale goes on for four days so out-of-town craftspeople need to find somewhere to stay for the duration. Sandra is producing several colours in her salt-fired ware and offered a good selection of smaller, useful pots – cups, little triangular serving pots with matching spoons, and some taller vase forms. She enjoys throwing and assembling her pieces, as do I. As I left I was happy to see long-time local potter and ceramic gallery owner Hiro Urakami admiring Sandra’s pots. He ran the House of Ceramics, the precursor to our Gallery of BC Ceramics, a long time ago now.
Cathi Jefferson was here for this summer fair and had a fine selection of her work available for enthusiastic shoppers. This was the first time I’ve had a chance to have a brief chat about the results of our shared firing at Herman’s last February. Like me, she was pleased with how all our work turned out. TriCity Potters Kay Bonathan and Carlene Akester and their English guest Glynis were at Cathi’s booth when I got there.
And it was good to run into Laura Carey who is now employed by Circle Craft to coordinate this show. Her enthusiasm for all things Craft is infectious!
Here is the information about the Fair. There’s still tomorrow to catch it and the forecast is for another sunny day.
Circle Craft and the Craft Council of BC are pleased to announce their 2nd annual Summer Craft Market! July 24-27th, join us at Jack Poole Plaza (next to the Olympic Cauldron).
88 artisans from throughout BC will be showcasing their handmade work – ranging from wood, glass, jewellery, leather, fine art, and ceramics. You will also find home décor and clever functional items you will not be able to live without. A great market for gifts or to treat yourself. Admission is FREE! We look forward to seeing you there!
FREE ADMISSION!!
Dates: July 24th -27th
Hours: Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday 9am-7pm
Saturday 9am-7pm
Sunday 9am-5pm
Location: Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver.
88 Artisans including 37 new exhibitors
A great market for gifts or to treat yourself.
I couldn’t resist taking photos of the view and some Native Art in the old convention centre. Then I wandered down into Gastown and had a little Peruvian supper at Silvestre Deli before taking the skytrain home. I even watched Port Moody’s fireworks from our front porch later and was pleased not to be with the crowds travelling home from watching Vancouver’s first fireworks night of the season.
