Aboriginal artists, crafters hold special sale

A special Aboriginal fine art and crafts show was recently held in Thunder Bay to coincide with Rendez-Vous 2012, a gathering of more than 850 health professionals from around the world.
“We promoted it at the conference and also at the Victoria Inn, where they had the gala (dinner and dance),” said John Ferris, founder of the Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario. “We were there (at the Valhalla) for two days.”
Although not as many health professionals showed up as Ferris and the artists and crafters were looking for, there were still some sales made.
“I was kind of disappointed,” Ferris said. “There were people who did come from the conference. They had tours in the city as well.”
Ferris is now planning an Aboriginal fine art and crafts show for tourist season in Toronto next summer.
“Possibly at the Harbourfront (Centre) or at the Royal Ontario Museum,” Ferris said.
Ferris said the upcoming Annual Aboriginal Fine Art and Crafts Christmas Gift Show will be held from Dec. 4-8 at the Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay, noting last year’s event “went very well.”
“This year we are going to have more advertising,” Ferris said. “And there will also be an on-the-spot radio station at the mall.”