Country Craft Fair Celebrates 40 Years in St. Albert

It’s no secret that St Albert has an abundance of artists working across mediums, disciplines, and materials. While many have online presences of their own, the annual Country Craft Fair might be the best opportunity to see a large number of them together at once.

It’s a two-day, multi-guild extravaganza, showcasing almost a wide swath of what local artists are dreaming up: florals and quilts, paintings, pottery, paper arts, leatherwork, and so much more. Approximately 75 artists will share their works this year notes Deirdre Allen, president of the St. Albert Place Visual Arts Council. To her, the Fair is an excellent opportunity to support the local scene and show the full range of the city’s artistic community—even to itself.

“It's our annual fundraiser,” Allen notes. “It gives a chance for all the guilds to meet each other.”

Art and artists have been a huge part of the St. Albert experience for decades. The first municipality in western Canada to have a Cultural Services Department, the city remains committed to fostering the artistic and crafting community as a part of our heritage. Today, with no shortage of working local artists, the Visual Arts Council’s mission—to promote, support, and strengthen the local artistic and crafting community—seems more vital than ever.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the Craft Fair, which affirms that the popularity of local artists remains undiminished. Thousands of people are expected to pass through St. Albert Place over the Fair’s two-day run. That enduring success, to Allen, comes from not just an interest in art, but the chance to speak with the artists.

“There's a real variety… and they're masters at what they do,” she says. “I think that the community gets a chance to meet the artist and have that one-on-one contact with the person that's making their gift or purchase.”

Allen knows from experience. An artist herself, she’s participated in previous Fairs, getting to enjoy that  direct connection with everyone who stopped by her booth.

“It's wonderful, sharing what you do with the people that come around,” she says. “They're always curious to know how it was made or why you chose this material over that material. And you're treated really well, as a vendor […] they just make it easy.

“You always are surprised that somebody's going to like your work,” Allen continues. “You're always scared that no one's going to show up and like your stuff. But it's always nice when you get those comments and that feedback that you're doing great. And if you’re lucky enough to get a purchase, that's great too.”

The 2026 Country Craft Fair is happening on November 21st and 22nd at St. Albert Place. More information can be found at sapvac.ca.

Article written by Paul Blinov

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