Search
Resorts & LodgesVacation RentalsDeals & PackagesTravel Guides
List Your Property

Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair: A Unique Art Fair With a Stunning Backdrop

Denman Island, British Columbia, British Columbia is a tranquil location, roughly three hours northwest of Victoria, that features a stunning and pristine natural environment. The roughly 1,100 residents who comprise the community take great pride in their community as well as preserving its natural beauty. The abundant natural beauty has attracted many artists, musicians, farmers, and progressive thinking people to the area. For over three decades, the creative residents and artists throughout British Columbia get the opportunity to showcase their beautiful work at the Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair in early December.

 

There are few other destinations where you get to experience the majesty of nature while being able to buy and admire some of the best handmade art in British Columbia.  Eighty artists will be making an appearance at this year’s festival, many of whom are renowned for their work. You’ll find something for just about everyone at the fair including items like organic bath products all the way to fine art made of metal and wood. The people of the community are very friendly and welcome visitors to their picturesque village. If you're a fan of unique art, meeting new people, and majestic vistas, then the Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair is perfect for you. ResortsandLodges.com sat down with Laura Busheikin, the Media Coordinator of the Denman Island Christmas Fair, to talk about the fair and how it affects the community.

 

RAL: Tell me about the Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair.

LB: The Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair is now in its 34th year and is firmly established as one of the best craft fairs in the region. Every year it draws people from all over British Columbia who love the fair both for the quality of the wares, along with the festive and friendly atmosphere.

 

The fair includes world-renowned artisans at the peak of their careers, young up-and-comers, and a children’s table where the local kids always delight us with the quality of their work. Many people attend the fair with the main purpose of completing, or at least getting a good start on, their holiday shopping. Others are art and craft aficionados who see the fair as a giant gallery. Children love the many toys on display, from wooden hand-carved train sets to cloth puppets and felted fairy-tale creatures.

 

RAL: What makes the fair unique?

LB: I think it’s the way we present high-quality artistic work while maintaining a homey rural island feel. Fair-goers enjoy a short ferry ride across Baynes Sound to find themselves in a tiny community known for its many artists and its laid-back lifestyle. The locals are excited to host so many people during one of the island’s biggest events. The shopping experience is intimate and friendly. Each booth is staffed by the featured artist, who is happy to answer questions about their work.

 

The whole of Denman’s tiny “downtown” village centre becomes a fun and lively gathering place. Local youth buskers play the fiddle or saxophone while the Island’s mobile coffee cart serves hot drinks. The old-style General Store joins the fun with wine-tastings and snacks.

 

RAL: Take me through a day at the event.

LB: You can expect a rich sensory experience that has been described as “consciousness-altering”. It can take hours to walk through the fair, taking in all the variety and beauty. Seasoned shoppers usually plan to spend the first part of the day just looking, then take a break for lunch. They’ll get down to some serious shopping in the afternoon, or even better, spread the experience out over two days.

 

The shopping experience is a marked contrast from what you’d find at a mall or big-box store. Everything is hand-made, mostly using natural, often locally-sourced materials. For instance, you can buy soap made from goat’s milk, directly from the farmer who raises the goats and milks them, grows the roses or lavender that provide the scent, and makes the soap. Or, you could find a sweater knitted by someone who also carded and spun the wool (from a local sheep), and dyed it with colour made from forest plants they gathered themselves. Prices range from just a few dollars to hundreds. You can buy stocking stuffers or major works of art.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

LB: If you’re looking for big hotels or glitzy resorts, this is not the destination for you! Zoning in Denman does not allow this sort of thing, with the intention of keeping this island quiet and pristine. All accommodations on Denman Island are intimate and unique. You could say that the Island’s B&B’s take visitors off the beaten track, but actually this Island doesn’t have a beaten track!

 

RAL: What does the fair mean to the community?

LB: Most of the year our Island is quiet. Two people can stop in the middle of the road outside the General Store and talk for a long while without being disturbed! Craft Fair weekend is an exciting time on the Island – we get to show off the best of what we do and who we are. Locals feel a sense of pride, and a deep appreciation for where we live. In the month before the Fair, it seems as if every second person is busy with Fair-related work – either working hard at their pottery wheels, looms, spinning wheels, and workbenches, preparing food, or helping with all behind-the-scenes organizational tasks.

 

The Fair is a big boost to the Island economy because it draws so many people who not only support the artists, but also fill our B&Bs, shop at our local bookstore, craft store, and General Store, and frequent our cafés. It also provides artisans with experience and exposure. Artisans say their creativity is stimulated by the opportunity to see all the work being done by other artists as well. They make friendships and plan creative partnerships. Other locals find work doing coordination, publicity, and other fair-related jobs. Many of the Island’s non-profit groups also participate, selling raffle tickets, organizing the dessert table, and selling items to raise funds for conservation, affordable housing, early childhood education, the arts, and more.

 

RAL: Why should people come to the Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair?

LB: People come back year after year because the Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair offers a full immersion in the power of art, craftsmanship, and community. It transforms holiday shopping from a stressful task to an inspiring experience, while providing a chance to get to know a unique and vibrant rural island community. And there is no problem finding souvenirs!


For more information please visit the Denman Island Christmas Fair website.