Submitted
This year the Comox Valley Art Gallery’s annual Christmas Craft Fair is also a chance to celebrate the gallery’s 40-year birthday.
The fair, which runs from Nov. 14 to Dec. 27, will include a special 40-year birthday celebration on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 21.
CVAG, initially named the Central Island Arts Alliance, was formed in 1974. That same year the first Christmas Craft Fair took place, and it has been an institution in the Comox Valley ever since.
“The craft fair has become a very important part of our community,” says Rhonda Burden, CVAG’s gift shop manager.
“The fair provides people in the Comox Valley with the opportunity to buy locally-made gifts at a reasonable price. Of equal importance, the fair supports dozens of artists throughout our region.”
The craft fair will be open from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting Friday, Nov. 14. On the first day (Nov. 14) customers will also receive a 10 per cent discount and CVAG members will receive a 15 per cent discount on most items.
The opening day, and every Saturday afterward, will also feature free warm beverages and cookies.
On Friday, Nov. 21 CVAG will throw a special celebration to mark its 40 years of operation.
Starting at 4 p.m. there will be snacks, warm beverages, a cash bar and a birthday cake. At 5 p.m. there will be remarks to honour the occasion. The craft fair will stay open until 9 p.m. that day, in conjunction with the Moonlight and Magic celebration that will see stores throughout downtown Courtenay open late.
The event will also celebrate two exhibits. “Window Project”, a light installation by Robert Moon with Carrie Tannant, will be on display in the gallery windows.
“Layered Democracy”, an exhibition by The Print4 Group (Emily Carr University external degree students Tonja Bjermeland, Karissa Comer, Lukas Roy and Mariya Vancheva), will be on display in the George Sawchuk Gallery from Nov. 7 to Nov. 27.
Prior to the Christmas Craft Fair, the CVAG gift shop will keep its regular hours of Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Monday, Nov. 10, when the shop will be closed.
For more information call 250-338-6211 or visit comoxvalleyartgallery.com
