It’s that time of year again when snow is on the ground, the thermometer drops way too low and the St. Albert Place Visual Arts Council (SAPVAC) brings its wares back for a public sale.
SAPVAC’s Country Craft Fair takes place today and tomorrow. This juried show is its annual fundraiser and it’s just as important for supporting art in the community as it is to support the members of the five guilds that make up the council: painters, potters, quilters, paper arts and floral arts. The sale also includes works from the Profiles Gallery children’s programs. There are more than 75 exhibitors.
Donna Hillier is thrilled to be part of the council and the sale once again. She’s not just the co-ordinator of the fair, she’s also one of the exhibitors.
“We support the visual arts that our guilds are involved with but we also support the visual arts that are in the community as well, so we are involved with Art in Public Places, children’s programming in the studios … We’re helping to cultivate the arts in St. Albert,” she said.
She’s really looking forward to checking out the veritable plethora of locally produced bath, Christmas, home dĂ©cor, fibre, floral, food, stained glass, jewellery, pottery, paper, quilts, wood and other fine art items. There will also be eco-friendly tote bags with hand-painted artwork on them for sale.
Hillier added there’s something she is especially excited about: sashiko.
“It’s a traditional Japanese method of hand-stitching. It’s something different.”
The council has been around since 1984. Its goals are to promote, strengthen, advocate and stimulate the visual arts experience within our community.
SAPVAC’s Country Craft Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. St. Albert Place is located at 5 St. Anne Street. Items can be purchased by cash, cheque or credit card. To learn more about SAPVAC, visit www.stalbert.ca or contact the organization at [email protected].
