NewsWe are a community arts organization founded in 2006 to enhance the public’s understanding of arts, culture and creative thinking.
By Aliki Mikulich
With the Holiday season approaching faster than we care to admit, our minds are occupied with considerations of what to get for those special someones on gift giving lists. As commercial flyers inundate us with images of ‘must have’ goods, why not consider giving something one of a kind, handmade and unique from one of our local artist or artisans?
Here are some reasons why buying locally makes sense:
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No transportation costs: the items were made nearby so no trains, planes, ships or trucks to bring them from far-off places. This translates to better prices, and also, to benefit to the environment as there is less fuel burned in the process of getting from creator to purchaser. Often items are made with recycled and reclaimed materials
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One of a Kind: even if the item is produced in batches, each one has a unique touch that comes from being hand made. Instead of being swayed by the millions of dollars spent on convincing us that our lives are incomplete without certain commercial goods, these items are created by hand, locally, without the use of the advertising machine that usually drives our lives. There are also bragging rights to having ‘the only one like it’.
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Supporting Artists and Artisans that you may know: Your community is filled with creative people that make hundreds of items that you probably have never seen before. Chances are you may know this individual or have heard of them or their family or their neighbours. There is a joy that comes with the bragging rights of saying “this was made by a Brantford artist “. Get to know your community!
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Supporting your local economy: Putting the money back into local hands means that there is better local commerce. Money spent here usually goes back here. It supports independent businesses, and puts a sense of pride and ownership into our community mentality.
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Joy of Discovery: Finding something that ‘speaks to you’ brings with a certain satisfaction that is not attained by going into the local big box store and finding one of a million. Maybe you got something that you wanted, but what about getting something that you have never seen before, that emanates creativity and was made by someone’s loving hands. Express your individuality!
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There are various locations around town where you can find items that are locally produced. One of them, that represents almost 80 local artists and artisans, is the Brantford Arts Block located at 80 Dalhousie St. Items in the giftshop are all created locally and include soaps and candles, jewelry, pottery, knitwear, cd’s and books. Items change frequently and most items are one of a kind. There will always be something that you have never seen before…and certainly nothing that you saw in this morning’s barrage of flyers in your mailbox!
Friday, April 15 - Saturday, May 21
Live music, movie nights, art shows, story-tellings, classes, artcrawls and socials! Connect to exciting local events at the Arts Block.
