An Aboriginal arts and crafts show held in Thunder Bay has reached a milestone.
For the past 10 years, Victoriaville Mall has hosted the Native Arts and Crafts Show, which has featured artwork from artists all across Ontario and Manitoba. Last year the show featured 170 artists, but organizers expect that even more will come to this year’s show, which is scheduled from Dec. 6 to Dec. 10.
Kathy Skirving, chair of the Victoriaville Board of Management, said the number of participating artist has grown every year.
“It’s a busy time for Victoriaville when the native arts and crafts come in,” Skirving said. “There’s hundreds upon hundreds of people that come through every day. Reaching the 10th year is awesome. The show has only gotten better and it has grown more and more every year. “
Often times Skirving hears that the south core isn’t always bustling with activity, but when the arts and craft show arrives the entire mall is packed with people, she said.
With the increase in popularity, Skirving said she hopes the show doesn’t outgrow Victoriaville Mall as a venue.
“Everybody loves to come down here and see the artwork of these people,” she said.
Nicole Baxter, media co-ordinator for Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario, said it’s a great opportunity for Aboriginal artists to be shown at the show.
“There’s going to be people coming in from all over the city and other communities,” Baxter said.
The show goes from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.
