The Canada Winter Games Plaza offers more than music and mini-donuts. Some of the region's most acclaimed artists have their work on-site. Many of them are there in person to meet the public. The Community Arts Council gathered them together inside an arts market, one of the popular stores in the tent village facing the Two Rivers Gallery.
"It is a small space but the crowds are big for us, people are definitely finding us and definitely buying art from the interior of B.C.," said CAC project co-ordinator Lisa Redpath. "People are absolutely having a good time at the plaza, and this is a great way for visitors to get a sense of what the area is all about - through our amazing artists. I think that's equally valuable for people who live here all the time."
Some of the region's best-known creators are involved in the market, like George Lesniewicz of Prince George, Bill Horne and Claire Kujundzic of Wells, Christina Watt and her cadre of Ridge Side Arts artists, and many more.
It was a jury process that decided on which artists would be included in the arts market, after an application process through the autumn.
"People have been really excited. There has been a lot of talk in here about how talented our local artists are," said Raine Gould, one of the CAC's market managers on-site at the plaza. "We have had a really warm reception from the public, it has been absolutely busy in here, and we are seeing different kinds of transactions going on. Some people are buying the works they see. Some people come through a number of times, thinking about it, making their decisions, and talking with the artists. Part of the goal is to develop relationships. We have heard commissions worked out between the customers and the artists, and we have overheard plans to possibly work out plans for the future. Art isn't something you always want to buy right away, so this opens those channels of communication for the future."
The definition of art is a wide concept. It spreads from the classics like paintings, drawings, sculpture, etc. to cullinary disciplines, jewelry and almost anything the mind can conceive of. "These aren't mass-produced items, they are made by people by hand. All the items are unique, one of a kind, and you can take that piece home with you from the Canada Winter Games," said the market's co-manager Davinia Irvine.
Lyssa Blackman's arts company Clever Twist that uses locally sourced materials like grouse feathers and upcycled materials like leather and buttons to make handcrafted jewelry and accessories.
The shelves are stocked with foodstuffs as well, like handmade birch syrup and fudge stock the shelves from Quesnel's Sweet Tree artisan company operated by Laura Entzminger.
Unique winter head-ware - knitted and felted - is available from MelonHead Knitware. There may be a few scarves and mittens at that table, too, all by Carmen Craigmartin.
Anyes deLaat of Sole Comfort Sheep's Wool and Hemp has a range of woolen products.
One of the most popular corners is the preserves pantry operated by Vern Henderson of Goodies By Thelma.
All of these artists and artisans are based in B.C., the largest component from the immediate Cariboo region.
The large mural installed for posterity at the Prince George Airport, commissioned by the Canada Games, also has a prominent place in the art market. Its painter, local artist Gregory Gislason is on-site at the artist's market selling byproducts of the mural, like a calendar depicting close-up components of the busy airport mural. He also has a giant portrait on display of the late NHL personality Pat Quinn.
The artists aren't all there simultaneously. Over the course of the Canada Winter Games the roster includes Shirley Babcock, Jennifer Cote, April Hendrickson, Natasha Plumridge, Charlotte Stevenson and those mentioned above.
"It's terrific that a sporting event like this can also draw people to the arts and culture of our community," said Irvine. "It doesn't cost anything to come in the tent to look around, and you can be so impressed by B.C. and local talent and get to meet some of the artists, too. They love to talk to the people coming through."
The CAC is also the facilitator of another arts promotion in the city's downtown during the Games. Artnerships places local art creators together with local businesses on-site inside the merchant's location. By walking around the city core, you can discover even more of our region's artistic talent and retail talent at the same time.
