The Lake Country Art Gallery has created a unique art market and will unveil the Lake Country Art Bazaar, where the public can buy unique art and local artists can sell their wares.
The gallery will host the Lake Country Art Bazaar one Saturday each month until October, featuring a selection of creations from local artists.
“I have had it in mind to facilitate a space for creative people to sell their wares ever since seeing the Bicycle Basket Bazaar start from nothing and grow into one of the most popular events in England,” explained Lake Country Art Gallery manager Petrina McNeill, who emigrated to Canada from England a number of years ago.
“Arts markets have always held a magical place in my heart. Early experiences in London where streets were filled with fine art, popular art, student-designer wear, funky soft furnishings, imported and vintage curiosities, all manner of shiny things and exotic foods each bustling for attention.”
Summer student, Jody DeSchutter, who is currently a BFA student at UVIC in Victoria, and grew up in Lake Country is the maestro who is organizing the vendors for these events.
“I want to demonstrate just how fantastic the art and culture scene can be in a small community like Lake Country,” said DeSchutter. “The art, the music, the theatre, the vintage wares and the food. It is important that all this wonderful creativity is accessible to the whole community whether one engages by offering art or by accepting it.”
The first Lake Country Art Bazaar will be held this Saturday (July 19), followed by three other Saturday dates: Aug. 9, Sept. 6 and Oct. 11.
These events take place at the ArtHouse, located right next door to the gallery, a cultural hub that also shelters the Gallery Gift Shop and the Artshelf Used Book Shop.
Artists already signed up to show their wares include Perch Travelling Boutique (vintage clothing), Nobert Spyth (glass) and artists Kara Barkved, Jolene Mackie, Sea Dean, Shannon Breadner and Denise Wandt as well as appearances by the New Vintage Theatre company.
“So far we have glass arts, fine arts, vintage clothing, theatrics, sparkling adornments and crafts,” said McNeill.
“We hope that visitors will also be able to take home an edible treat to round off a truly magical trip into a creative wonderland and that they will want to return once a month with all of their friends and visitors throughout the summer.”