Do artisans in Vancouver get enough support?

Coming from a guy who grew up in a small town, I’ve seen a lot of artisan festivals and markets. And I got the full picture of the scene when I ran my summer cruiser weekend radio show. One thing that stood out to me, how grateful the smaller market organizers were when I would give them just a minute cut in on the air. It gave them one of the best ways to get the word out in the community. And that’s how I discovered how important artisan’s markets can be to uniting a community. 

Now, things are a little different here, in Vancouver, but the core message remains the same. Its important to support your local vendors as much as it is to support local businesses. In a city like Vancouver, where everything can feel too polished, performative, and expensive, the artisan scene brings things back down to earth and allows you to slow down and experience the moment. 

Take Granville Island for example, their website list events taking place over the next two months. Which is packed full of community and culture, chief among them being the Public Market. Between the produce stands and bakeries, you’ll find local artisans selling handmade jewelry, prints, candles, wood art, clothing, and more. With my personal weakness being any stand that has tasty looking baked goods or pastries. And when you get to meet the artisans and craftspeople behind each product, it makes the experience much more personal.  

There’s also more of an appeal for a younger crowd, and it’s not just that the products make an easy Instagram post. There’s an appeal to buy local and finding unique pieces that feel personal, that connect with you and your vibe. 

And you can walk away with a story from the piece. In the summer I had bought an amethyst lamp for my partner, she loved pretty things and the soft purple glow it had. Not to mention the base was made out of a tree from Stanley Park, where one of our first dates took place. It’s about knowing where to look, and taking the time to look. 

Organizations like the BC Arts Council help support artists across the province, but the most important part to them is the regular people showing up to markets and events that keep the scene, and their business, alive. Every purchase, no matter how small, boosts not only their business, but their creativity and drive to do more.  

If you’re still on the fence about the whole thing, take a chance. Wander through a market, you might leave with something you didn’t know you needed, and a story you didn’t expect.