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Art Beat: Christmas craft sales, 2020 style

It’s the COVID Christmas, which means it will be like none we’ve known in more than a century. Pre-Yuletide traditions like craft-fair shopping will also be uniquely 2020.
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Handmade wreaths are a Christmas craft fair staple.

It’s the COVID Christmas, which means it will be like none we’ve known in more than a century. Pre-Yuletide traditions like craft-fair shopping will also be uniquely 2020. 

How about a pop-up Christmas market online? The annual Serendipity Christmas Craft Fair has come up with this timely innovation, offering works by local artisans and crafters, and which “supports the charitable activities of the Serendipity Child Development Society and the Madeira Park Elementary PAC (Parent Advisory Council).” It’s running continuously until Dec. 13, with “new goodies added weekly.” Also, “volunteers will assemble your online order to make pick-up easy.” To shop, go to Facebook and enter Serendipity Craft Fair in the search bar. 

There are still in-person markets, too. The juried Winter Artisan Showcase at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt has always been a big draw and the good news is that it’s back (as of press time), but will feature just four vendors per week. Good reason to keep going back to see what’s new. It runs Fridays and Saturdays, 12 noon to 4 p.m., starting Nov. 27 and ending Dec. 12. 

The April-to-September weekly market at the end of Cowrie Street in Sechelt is also back with a seasonal version – the Sechelt Farmers’ & Artisans’ Christmas Market. Saturday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s outdoors, but we’re asked to please wear a mask. 

Running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until Dec. 13, the FibreWorks Studio & Gallery in Madeira Park “will celebrate the many talents and fibre arts of our Sunshine Coast community for you to peruse and enjoy, while staying safe.” 

Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons is putting on an indoor 2020 Quarantine Christmas Market Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 20, which the mall reassures us is a “tiny” version of its annual fair, with full pandemic protocols in place. 

Present Tense deadline 

The delightfully varied annual members’ art exhibit is coming up at Gibsons Public Art Gallery, opening Thursday, Dec. 3. All gallery members are invited to submit their recent work. This year, the show is playing on the theme “present tense.” Newly appointed gallery manager Christina Symons points out that, “the exhibition is also intended to provide a much-needed boost of sales and revenue to support local arts and the community at the end of a challenging year.” You can sign up and submit work in any medium. The deadline is 4 p.m., Sunday. Nov. 29.

Music live 

The only venue offering in-person music this week is the Clubhouse Restaurant at the Pender Harbour Golf Course. Joe Stanton performs a dinner show on Friday, Nov. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. On Sunday (Nov. 29) afternoon, from 2 to 5 p.m., you can hear the Peter Van Trio. 

Due to the pandemic, all listed live events are subject to change. Check ahead. Space is limited in Art Beat but please let us know about your events at arts@coastreporter.net