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Marigold Market showcases art, talent of all kinds in Battlefords

Oct 17, 2018 | 8:00 AM

It’s hard to believe the year is already winding down, but here in the middle of October, the holiday season is quickly approaching.

With the subtle sounds of jingling bells and Christmas music in the not-so-far distance, there is perhaps no better time to start the hunt for that special one-of-a-kind gift, for the whole family than this weekend at the Marigold Market held in the Chapel Gallery, North Battleford from Oct. 19 to Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.

The idea for the Marigold Market was first coined by Rosemarie Stadnyk in 2011.

Stadnyk noticed the great number of potters and other artists in the community and thought it would be nice to have a venue where local artists could come together and sell some of their handmade creations and various art pieces; thus the Marigold Market was formed.

Joanne Rivers-Wing, who has been involved with the Marigold Market the last six years, including the last four as an organizer for the event, said the Market is unique because people can find one-of-a-kind items unavailable elsewhere.

“We have about 23 to 24 vendors selling everything from coffee to pottery to sowing and jewelry, all kinds of things.” Rivers-Wing said. “Every year we probably have three or four new vendors that weren’t there before, and we try to keep a good variety within the booths.”

Rivers-Wing said although the items for sale are all handmade, the booths at the event feature only the highest standard of quality products, by people who have honed their skills over many years.

“For example, we have a goldsmith who comes, so it’s well done jewelry that’s available,” she said. “Two of us are potters and we’ve done pottery for many years, those that sow also have experience sowing for many years; so the result is some really well-made items.”

When asked about the community’s support for the event, Rivers-Wing said the growing support over the years has been evident by the increasing number of people in attendance.

“About three years ago we had about 300 people coming and last year we had over 600, so it’s just getting better all the time,” she said.

Although the event itself is free to attend, there are door prizes available on the evening as well with a donation to Creative Kids, a provincial organization designed to help kids afford lessons in the arts, be it music, dance, drama or anything else.

All proceeds from the canteen will also go to Creative Kids.

For more information on the Marigold Market, visit them on Facebook.

 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

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