Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Napanee-based artists Susan Oliver Tucker and Lynda Carney weren’t about to let COVID-19 safety restrictions completely wipe out the holiday art-shopping season.
Instead they got creative and came up with the outdoor Christmas Crafters’ Road Show, which will be held in driveways throughout Greater Napanee Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
About 20 fellow artists have signed on to take part and will be setting up shop outside their homes. Patrons will be encouraged to pick up a map and plan a route to visit vendors throughout the day.
“From firsthand experience we know that (indoor holiday craft shows) opportunity and that market has been really squelched by COVID and the safety restrictions that are in place, for very good reasons,” said Carney, who has organized indoor markets in the past. “But some of those opportunities have been lost so this was birthed in that place of trying to come up with something that will be fun and festive and still safe and give some of our local crafters a platform to sell and showcase their wares.”
A Facebook page was launched earlier this week that will be updated with the addresses of participating artists as well as some spotlight features. Artists can still register for the event by contacting the organizers through the Christmas Crafters’ Road Show page. All they ask is a $5 contribution towards printing flyers and hard copy maps. Some maps will be available at each vendor location.
Guests to each stop can pickup a passport and collect signatures of the participating artists and will be entered into a prize draw.
Artists will be located mostly close to town, with some a bit more spread out on River Road, in Forest Mills and on Frizzell Road.
“We have everything from gift baskets to soap makers, therapy bags, crocheters, knitters, people that work with wood, painters, there’s a good range of variety given the number of artists that we have,” said Carney. “We haven’t doubled up anywhere at this point. There’s something for everyone whether you’re looking to buy a gift or looking for a special decoration for your own home.”
Depending on the success of the roadshow format, Carney says they may look to make it an annual event.