There’s no doubt that Newfoundland and Labrador is a unique and inspiring place, filled with creative folks of all varieties – and the capital city of St. John’s is no different. Year round, you can find artists, designers and crafters at any number of fairs and markets selling and promoting their goods and exchanging ideas.
This Saturday, September 23, Atlantic Place in downtown St. John’s will host a variety of local Etsy sellers for the third annual St. John’s Region Etsy: Made in Canada Market. The event, which runs from 10am-5pm, coincides with over 35 other markets popping up across the country on the same day. The community-led initiative lets local buyers come face-to-face with Etsy artisans, bringing the community together in a creative way.
The local event came about as a result of a partnership between Meghan Fahey of Driven to Ink, Team Captain for Etsy St. John’s Region; Business & Arts NL; the City of St. John’s; and Martek, property managers of Atlantic Place (which is owned by Southwest Properties).
“Downtown truly is the hub of the local arts scene and Atlantic Place is the perfect venue for our local Etsy sellers offering handmade and vintage products,” Fahey says.
In addition to support from the aforementioned, Fahey says several local businesses have also jumped on board to sponsor the event.
“Focus on LeMarchant Road has been fantastic to deal with for all of our print materials and Shyama Shoots Photography will be donating some time to take pictures at our event. We’ve been networking with Blackwood Events and The Ultimate Bridal Show as we share a very similar demographic, and we exhibited at the recent wedding show on September 17,” she says.
“The local business community has been essential to the success of our market, and I’m confident it will be a fun event for all involved.”
In addition to Saturday’s event, Fahey says organizers plan to hold smaller pop-ups throughout the year, and hope to host their first Springtime Etsy: Made in Canada Market before Mother’s Day.
Théa Morash, Arts & Cultural Development Coordinator with the City of St. John’s, says events like these help build vibrant communities.
“I was more than happy to help Meghan with her proposal to Martek for the Etsy Market. The market here in St. John’s is only a couple years old but has had success in the past, and it would’ve been a shame if trouble finding appropriate space downtown stunted the growth of such a fantastic project,” she says.
“We need more activity like this downtown!”
