On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 4, Artisan Forge Studios hosted a makers’ market for local artists to share and sell their work. 

According to their website, Artisan Forge Studios is home to over 30 vendors who work in multiple art mediums. The organization has a gift shop and gallery, and hosts events like the March Maker’s Market.

The studio hosted an art show that invited people to tour the establishment and meet local artists selling what they’ve created. 

Some of the vendors were in-house artists that continuously work with Artisan Forge Studios. Others are local artists of the community just showcasing their work.

Kelly Speros, organizer of the event and an artist at Artisan Forge Studios, said she started planning the event a month ago as an opportunity to showcase local artists.

“Showcase local talent and offers a way for artists to support themselves,” Speros said. “I think it’s really important that the community come out, buy art and support people who are trying to create a living.”

According to Speros, this isn’t the first show that the organization has put on. Local artists were contacted about the event and it was a first come first serve approach to showcase as many artists of different mediums as possible.

Artisan Forge Studios is also physically connected to Sweet Driver Cafe, a relocated cafe offering pastries, coffee and lunch items. The cafe was open through the market for patrons to walk in and order before heading back to the artists.

The market also had live music going throughout the day by the Artisan Forge Studios Open Jam Band.

The event had 20 artists according to the advertisement posted on Artisan Forge Studio’s Facebook. Each artist also had two giveaways of some of their art and the rest of their displays were dedicated to showing off the artist’s work or artwork for people to buy.

Mindy Huntress, an in-house artist at Artisan Forge Studios, said that these events are important because they help local artists make money off their original work.

“Local art costs about the same as commercial art if you go to Target or Home Goods. Or it could be more expensive, so you should support your local artists,” Huntress said.

Patricia Hawkenson, another in-house artist at Artisan Forge Studios who focuses on colored pencil work, said many patrons of these events are out-of-town visitors. Most local attendees mentioned they did not know Artisan Forge Studios was here.

“The community needs to know that Artisan Forge is an active space for art and engaging activities that are fun for anyone to come in and take part in,” Hawkenson said.

According to their website, Artisan Forge Studios’ next event is the Paint to Poems event. Patrons will have their last chance to view the constellations group show, as well as hear live poetry readings. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. on March 30.

The next event after that is a guided tour through the Jim Backus Spirit Bear exhibit, a collection of expert nature photographs in the British Columbia Great Bear Rainforest. This event starts at 5:30 p.m. on April 4.

To keep up with Artisan Forge Studios, check out their website or their Facebook page.

Fisher can be reached at [email protected].