CANMORE – A local shop owner has stepped up to sell "seconds" from artists to fundraise for a couple of causes.
Project A director Jade Ansley invited artists across the country to donate their imperfect pottery pieces to sell for approximately $25 - $50 per piece with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the split fundraiser.
“So this time of year is when our shop would normally celebrate our annual party," Ansley said. "We are celebrating four years in business, but because of COVID we are challenged where we can’t party, so we wanted to host a fundraising sale instead.”
Donations will be split between the Alberta Environment Network, which is working directly with Defend Alberta Parks, and the Sipekne'katik First Nation in support of the Moderate Livelihood Fishery Fire.
Earlier this year, the government announced the closure of about 20 provincial parks and removing another 164 from the Alberta Parks system, spearheading the Defend Alberta Parks campaign. Officials say Albertans will lose recreation opportunities and there is no evidence of cost savings – they are hoping to convince the provincial government to back away from the changes.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country in Nova Scotia, the Sipekne’katik band recently announced it will not fish its commercial lobster licence this season after the threats and violence in the last couple of months – with hundreds of traps stolen, destroyed damaged, vehicles torched and lobster pounds that stored Mi’kmaw catches trashed.
“With 170 Alberta parks getting shut down – I’m from Alberta and live in Canmore – and it’s a really important issue to me,” Ansley said.
“And I also lived on the East Coast for a number of years and I strongly support Indigenous [rights]. I think what’s happening is absolutely devastating and I want to show that people across the country are supporting them.”
More than 100 pieces have been donated for the sale to date.
“So far, we have donations from over 20 artists with everyone donating what we in the industry call ‘seconds’ – it is functional pottery pieces that are tests or the artist thinks they have small blemishes," Ansley said. "Normally they save these pieces and have a sale once a year, but this year we asked if we could fundraise with them.”
Anything ceramics, including mugs, vases, sculptural pieces and wall hangings will be available. Sonja Redeker from Cumulus Clay will also be at the shop doing pottery demos throughout the day with Kake by Darci treats available.
Regular shop products will still be available for purchase via credit, debit and cash.
"When you shop at Project A, we work with over 100 to 200 artists on a daily basis – you are not only supporting my business, but other small Canadian-run businesses and it leads to a huge impact, especially when these small businesses are struggling," Ansley said, encouraging people to shop local as we enter the holiday season.
While raising money with the pottery sale, Ansley said workers will take precautions as we are still amid a pandemic. The COVID procedures will include, limiting the number of guests to 15 at a time, mandatory mask-wearing, mandatory sanitizer upon entrance and social distance measures in place.
The fundraising sale is happening at Project A on Main Street in Canmore on Nov. 12 from noon to 8 p.m. – cash only.
For more information, check out the Facebook page at Project A.
