The event known to officially start the holiday shopping season in Prince George is set for Friday through Sunday at the Civic Centre.
This is the 43rd annual Studio Fair that sees artisans from across the nation and the north gather to offer their unique items.
"This is a fundraiser for the Prince George and District Community Arts Council but it's more than that," Lisa Redpath, program manager at the local CAC, said. "It is a community event and it's to celebrate and highlight all of our local guilds, an amazing selection of local artists and out of town artists who love Prince George. I hear it quite openly that Prince George is their favourite stop - a lot of them do a circuit and Prince George is the first show on that circuit and it's a reunion for them. So when they gather here they just enjoy the wonderful energy of the Prince George crowds."
There will be more than 80 individual vendors at the Civic Centre, with guilds, including wood turners, potter, fibre arts, quilters, artists coop, artists workshop, along with groups including Judy Rusell's Enchainement Dance Centre, the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Community Foundation and Miracle Theatre, Cold Snap Society and the Northern Indigenous Arts Council presenting their best work, as well.
"There are many vendors guests expect to see every year and we're always looking for new and innovative art forms," Redpath said.
There are several new vendors including those who showcase a line of accessories as well as food vendors with healthy alternatives on offer. Brand new to the juried artisan fair is a self-contained outdoor vendor called 108 Sausage Company that sells their pork products such as bacon, loin chops, a selection of charcuterie board meats like Tuscan fennel salami and a variety of sausages all made with natural free range pork.
Part of the Community Arts Council's mandate is to engage and encourage young emerging artists so people will see 11-year-old Maya McCutcheon from Fort St. James selling her original Christmas cards with a lot of entrepreneurial enthusiasm in the pre-function area.
The Prince George Judo Club will be hosting the coat check, while Rotaract, the youth component of Rotary, will be volunteering at Studio Fair, while showcasing their Shelter Box program.
"We're really happy to have those two groups come in and assist us," Redpath said.
The main door prize at Studio Fair will be created by former Community Arts Council artist-in-residence Corey Hardeman, who will create a painting on location during the event.
Studio Fair will take over the upper level of the Civic Centre and there will be two demonstrations taking place, including one from local artist Elmer Gunderson, who is best known for this wood carvings at Cottonwood Island Park. He will be working with clay at the event, as he is also a sculptor. Shirley Babcock, another local artist, will be creating a community canvas featuring contributions from members of the public. The finished piece will be donated to a charity of Babcock's choice.
The Northern Indigenous Arts Council, sister organization to the Community Arts Council, will have two rooms on the upper level of the Civic Centre where members artwork will be highlighted.
"So people can see the best of the best of Indigenous art from Prince George and throughout the region," Redpath said.
Studio Fair goes Friday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Prince George Civic Centre, 808 Civic Plaza. Ticket are $5 for adults, seniors and student. Children under 12 years old are free.
