When it comes to this time of year, Vikki Wiercinski has one thing on her mind: the Royal Bison Art & Craft sale. “I’m actually at London Drugs right now, looking for candy canes to hand out so people have a sweet treat when they come to the fair!”
After receiving your complimentary candy cane, you’ll find all kinds of gifts to give this holiday season, all of which have been hand crafted, knitted, printed or poured by Edmonton and Albertan makers, just like organizer (and 2021 Top 40 alumna) Wiercinski did in the fair’s early days. “I had just graduated design school in 2008, and I had all sorts of ideas. It was the beginning of the maker revolution, and Etsy, and the Royal Bison was a really great place to experiment and kind of show off those ideas and get feedback from people. It’s a really special thing, and I’m really happy to be part of it.”
At its prime location on Gateway Boulevard, 70 vendors will share their wares over two weekends at what’s arguably the most local way to get your shopping done. “If you can, skip the mall and spend 10 bucks on something that will go directly to the person who made it. We’ve got recent art and design school grads, there’s a gallery space, prints, ceramics, Indigenous beadwork and two weekends to see it all!”
The Royal Bison Art & Craft Sale runs November 25 to 27, and December 2 to 4, at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre, 8426 Gateway Blvd (north of the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market).
