Local artisans light the way

There was a sense of magic in the night air this weekend as Lights and Lanterns lit the field of Lee Park. Hundreds meandered into the grassy field amongst the town of tents put up for the special occasion marking the end of this year’s Artisans Way.

What started in June as the brainchild of local vendor, Brianna Campigotto, owner of BRealFit, the Artisan's Way has evolved over its first year, taking on more and more local vendors, but Campigotto wanted to give it a proper send off before it wrapped up.

“I wanted to change things up. I think a night market is fun, different, new, and innovative and I think that’s everything the Artisans Way is,” she said. “It highlights not only the fact that the Artisans Way is capable of bringing in a crowd at night, but markets are capable of bringing in a crowd at night.

The first market, which took place June 4 at 377 Airport Road, across the street from Autohaus Stackelberg, was created as an outlet for local vendors to brew their creative, innovative, and novel ideas and make them readily available for the community of North Bay, says a news release from the group.

Since then, it grew over the course of its five outdoor events, growing with local vendors, taking on newer ones, and expanding. But what was supposed to be the final Artisans Way in September, turned into but a prelude to the special final, which changed locations and theme before the cold takes hold of North Bay.

“I’m a little bit obsessed with lights personally; just adding all the twinkling lights having everything illuminated creates an amazing atmosphere,” Campigotto said. “I was going to finish in September and then I really liked the idea of a night market in October, making it a Fall theme and a ‘bang’ that will really help people remember the Artisans Way for next year. There is a lot of different vendors tonight, the same who’ve been with me since month one. But there are also new artists and new direct sales people who really have some different things, like chemical free hand polish, and there are a lot of people who want to collaborate together.”

Dozens of local artisans and vendors set up their uniquely lit booths on the grass in West Ferris and transformed the park into something mystical as twilight hit and the skies darkened.

Some of the vendors included Pure Essence, K Creations, Pickett Lane Knits, Gluten Free Jewels, The Enchanted Bowl, Mud Dog Creek, Digital Watercolour Studios, It’s Sew Good, and countless more. Campigotto has really pushed for collaboration and cooperation with her vendors, trying to foster a positive business practice in the community.

“My mantra with the Artisans Way to provide a safe space for vendors without the business culture that is about scarcity and fear and one thing I learned was to really reinforce that continuously and help the community recognize that,” she said. “We welcome collaboration and one thing I learned is guiding my vendors that way. There has to be collaboration and not being afraid of competition.”

Campigotto was elated by the influx of the community pouring into the market. Families with their kids and pets streamed into the night market and explored the unique vendors, eager for the next Artisans Way—something they’d have to wait until next year for.

“The community has really supported that idea of collaboration and I love the night market vibe,” she said, hinting at its return next year. “I’m really looking forward to bring the Artisans Way back.