Market Collective holds Holiday edition at BMO Centre

By Troy Hasselman, December 11 2019 —

Market Collective, the Calgary artist market, will be holding a holiday-themed edition on Dec. 13–15 at the BMO Centre. Since its beginnings, Market Collective has grown into a local institution and a strong platform for artists around the city.

Market Collective started in 2008 with the goal of getting people more creative and engaged with their community and to support artists and the local economy in Calgary,” says Market Collective co-founder Angel Guerra.

This weekend’s edition will be massive with artists, vendors, musicians, exhibits and activities populating the BMO Centre.

“This weekend we have 155 different artists and vendors,” Guerrsa says. “We also have a licensed all-ages area that has a kids zone and a stage programmed with 21 bands and DJ’s, we have skatepark and a ton of interactive art exhibits, installations and workshops for people to participate in.”

Guerra points out vendors like Calgary-themed clothing line Local Laundry, illustrator Rachael Meckling and soy candle manufacturers Milk Jar Candle Company as vendors to look out for during the weekend.

“Highlights would be Local Laundry, who will be selling their apparel,” Guerra says. “Rachael Meckling who does live fashion illustration will be selling her work and also Milk Jar Candle Company.”

Market Collective has grown strongly since it first began with a small market in Kensington’s Carpenters Union Hall in 2008, with thousands of people now attending Market Colective events.

“It’s been good,” Guerra says. “We started as a small idea with some friends coming out. We had a few hundred people to the first one. Now we’re seeing about 8,000 people per weekend which is amazing, with a lot of money coming back to the artists.”

Market Collective has also contributed to the growth of Calgary’s arts scene by giving artists a platform to show and sell their work, allowing them to sustain themselves and stay in Calgary.

“When we started there wasn’t a whole lot of channels for people to make a living off their artwork,” Guerra says. “I think Market Collective and other thing starting up in the city over the last decade have allowed Calgary to keep more of the artist here. They’re not having to go to Toronto or Vancouver to sustain themselves. There’s such a movement in Calgary to support local and support artists. Having that mindset allows artists to grow and to continue to make it.”

This weekends Market Collective will run from 4–9 p.m. on Friday and 10a.m. – 6p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission will cost $6.00 for the weekend, with children 12 and under allowed in for free. Information about the event and vendors participating can be found on the Market Collective website. Another holiday edition of Market Collective will be held Dec. 20–22 at the BMO Centre.