Market Collective puts local spin on holiday shopping
Co-founder Angel Guerra encourages shoppers to support the local economy this season
By Amber McLinden, Staff Writer
Market Collective is bringing the holiday cheer to their independent markets this year, showcasing local vendors and arts and culture in Calgary with four holiday markets.
This is the ninth consecutive year they are running markets during the holidays, encouraging people to buy local and support the Calgary arts and culture scene. This year they’re offering 200 artists and designers, 70 of which are new to the markets, 58 food vendors, an interactive Choir Collective and cocktails from Sugar Water Cocktail Bar.
Angel Guerra, Market Collective co-founder, says that the holiday season is the best time to run the markets.
“I just think it’s such a good time to do it because people are out purchasing different gifts for people anyways so if you can support the creative class in your city and help the local economy, all the better,” says Geurra.
Market Collective was founded in 2008 by Guerra and Angel Dione to promote local arts and culture and engage the community in the local economy. Market Collective hosts independent markets at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Eau Claire.
“I really like the community aspect of it and it just gives people a space to gather and support all those people.” Guerra says.
This holiday, Market Collective is also giving space for other local organizations that are giving back to the community. TreeEra, for example, is an initiative started by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald that aims to plant trees to offset your carbon footprint. MakeItMerry is another project that is seeking to provide and deliver holiday cards to the homeless.
“Market Collective has grown so much over the years and we have such a big community,” Guerra explains. “We feel like it’s important to use that voice that we have to support other initiatives that are starting up in the city and to donate spaces to them and to kind of give them a footing because that’s what helps other things thrive. Things like Market Collective really thrive when all the other organizations in the city are thriving as well.”
Guerra says that there is something at the market for everyone, especially over the holidays.
“I’d encourage [people] to come out this holiday because it’s a great place to do shopping for the holiday season, it’s a great place to get unique gifts, and even for those that don’t really enjoy the shopping, you can just come and experience some of the local arts and culture that Calgary has to offer.”
The holiday markets will be running Nov. 25-27, Dec. 2-4, Dec. 9-11, and Dec. 16-18 at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Eau Claire. Check out the vendors for each market on their website at www.marketcollective.ca.
