Calling all artisans.
The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Cochrane will be hosting its inaugural Artisans’ Market starting the first weekend in June.
“This community has a lot of artists and they need an outlet,” said Romy Jansen, the foundation’s treasurer.
The Artisans’ Market will run throughout the summer, every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., as to not interfere with the annual Farmers’ Market that runs on Saturdays throughout the summer.
The main difference with the Artisans’ Market is the focus will be directed more toward performing arts while also welcoming other artisans from Cochrane and surrounding area communities to display their crafts.
Organizers are inviting all performing artists of all skill levels to inquire about the upcoming market, encouraging school bands, buskers, church groups, individual performers or bands to take the stage.
The current summer Farmers’ Market typically has waiting lists from the time the market opens and the organizers wanted to help artisans in the area by giving them another opportunity on the weekend, while also attracting residents and guests to historical downtown.
“We want to revitalize downtown again, promote tourism and want to make Cochrane a destination stop,” explained Katheryn Sutton, media co-ordinator for Arts Cochrane.
The market will be held in the historical downtown square across from the MacKay’s ice cream store on First Street W., with the hope to drive as much traffic to historical downtown as possible.
“We’ve approached the downtown merchants and they are excited about the market,” Sutton said.
Since the soft announcement of the market has been made, Ruth Soroka, president of Arts Cochrane, said she has already received several emails inquiring about renting a space.
“We are working hard to get everything ready and we are very optimistic,” Soroka said. “We want to liven downtown and give artisans a chance to show their work.”
There will be a stage available for performing artists and the space will be able to accommodate approximately 12 artisans per market.
Artisans wanting to participate in the market must be a member of the Arts & Cultural Foundation of Cochrane, a $25 membership fee for the year, and $15 table rental fee per market.
There will be no admission for those wanting to attend.
Family-friendly activities are currently being planned to encourage everyone of all ages to come out. While there will be no food or beverages offered at the market, organizers want to encourage attendees to explore what historical downtown has to offer.
The event will be hosted entirely by volunteers and organizers said they are excited and hopeful to see people from the community support the new market.
For more information email [email protected].
