More than 40 independent designers, craftspeople, and artists will gather in Fort Langley on Sunday, March 20 for the debut of the Bloom Market.
Held at the Fort Langley Community Hall, the new market aims to showcase local artisan talent in one central place.
Creator Sarah Barrett said that outside of Vancouver, there are no other markets like this in the Fraser Valley.
“The ultimate goal is to offer a regular marketplace for artists and businesses to go to, and for people in the community to see it as an opportunity to support local business,” she said.
Some of the vendors include fashion designers, photographers, accessory designers, jewelers and artists from Vancouver Island.
“A lot of these people haven’t been to a market in the Fraser Valley or any event in the Fraser Valley because we just haven’t seen anything that fits with their products and what they’re trying to offer,” said Barrett.
“It really resonated with people, and they thought this is going to be something really different.”
Barrett began working on the project a year ago and was very surprised by the reaction of the community.
“I couldn’t believe how many people were on board and excited to come out to Fort Langley and reach out to a new market in the Fraser Valley,” she said.
The main floor of the building will be set up like an art gallery, with live demonstrations by some of the artists.
Among the vendors is local artist Brent Ray Fraser, who has had a studio in Fort Langley since 2005, and this will be the first time he is able to show his work in the local community in this type of setting.
“I would just go out [to my studio] and paint but I did not really know too much about the area or know too much about the community around there,” he said.
“So the Bloom Market is perfect for this.
“It gives me that connection to everyone else around, a chance to meet people, and get some sort of sense of community.”
Barrett says supporting local talent like this is what drives her to organize these events.
“It’s something that I am very passionate about. I’m very passionate about small businesses and supporting small businesses in the local community,” she said.
Operating on a seasonal basis, Bloom Market will be open on the third Sunday in March, June, September and November, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $2 for adults.
