Artists showcase their finest work at the Toronto Art Crawl Christmas market
By Kristian Tofilovski
Inside the Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market, Dec. 3, 2023 (Kristian Tofilovski/CanCulture)
The Toronto Art Crawl hosted its ninth annual Christmas market, highlighting the work of more than 80 local artists and designers.
Nadia Lloyd, an artist and designer, founded the Toronto Art Crawl in 2013 to share the work of local artists and designers while also promoting culture and creativity in the city. Throughout the year, the organization holds a variety of events, including its much-anticipated Christmas market.
Hosted at the Great Hall on Queen West, vendors sold food, jewelry, home decor items, photographs and more.
The event also included a live DJ playing holiday tunes, a bar area with warm beverages and sparkling string lights dangling across the ceiling. These elements created an environment that was nostalgic, cozy and filled with the Christmas spirit, turning ordinary shopping into a joyful, multisensory experience that draws public attention.
"I've really enjoyed the vendors, the venue and the decor," said one event goer who decided to check out the market after passing by its sign outside.
A live DJ plays at the Toronto Art Crawl Christmas market, taken on Dec. 3, 2023. (Kristian Tofilovski/CanCulture)
Vendors are given great networking opportunities with consumers and fellow business owners through art markets.
"This is only my second event and I’ve already made great connections," said a vendor, commonly referred to by her nickname as Dr. Auntie Ruby, owner of Dr. Auntie Ruby Stuff. "It builds a sense of community,” she added.
Art markets also provide a platform for local artists to advocate for social causes that are meaningful to them.
Janet Holmes, a local photographer, donates her profits from selling art prints and cards of wild and rescued animals and from her book, Nest: Rescued Chickens at Home, to animal rescue. Holmes said, "I encourage people to see farmed animals differently, not just as food on our tables but as individuals with personalities."
A key goal of these art markets is to offer sustainable shopping experiences often lost in online and retail shopping, which helps preserve local businesses and culture. However, some vendors find that promoting their businesses through art markets can be costly. According to the Toronto Art Crawl website, fees for a booth start at $235, including tax.
Vendors say that sharing their products with others is a key factor to supporting their businesses.
"It doesn't have to be a grand gesture," said Cyan Hill, an ambassador for Pepper Brew, highlighting the benefit of getting the word out on social media.
Holmes said displaying artists' products in your home or at work also helps spark conversation with others and draws interest to their causes.
Lia Reyes (left) and Dr. Auntie Ruby (right) represent Dr. Auntie Ruby Stuff at the Toronto Art Crawl Christmas market, taken on Dec. 3, 2023. (Kristian Tofilovski/CanCulture)
The booth for Janet Holmes Photography at the Toronto Art Crawl Christmas market. (Photograph by Janet Holmes)
Cyan Hill represents Pepper Brew at the Toronto Art Crawl Christmas market booth, taken on Dec. 3, 2023. (Kristian Tofilovski/CanCulture)
The atmospheric and supportive shopping experiences that art markets are able to provide continue to remain unmatched. So, if you are looking for a new way to shop for the holiday season or during the rest of the year, art markets are a great place to check out!