Market Collective

Such a unique place to explore local artisan products and sweet art to gift or put in your own place.
I took a coworker to the holiday Market Collective in the old King Edward School — an amazingly cool venue for this btw. We thoroughly enjoyed popping into all the old classrooms and looking at some of the old school work still up, and purchasing unique handmade products from local Calgarians.

Despite having been to Market Collective several times, I’ve never weighed in with a review. Not sure why, it seems like every time I’ve gone the experience was always different. The first time I was a little reserved and didn’t quite know what to make out of a room full of strangers and merchants who looked like they made everything they sold on the spot. I think I saw a vegan baker there once. She seemed nice, but her eye glimmered with a sentimental loneliness, just the one eye.
The next time I decided to open up the ol’ cobwebbed wallet and purchase a shirt from Fenwick and Selgado. Woodland animals on t-​shirts? Yes please. Foxes and wolf designs? Oui seniora.
I always like walking around. Even with the odd admission fee, Market Collective offers a lot for the perusing loiterer. Interactive art. Eclectic local music. And the odd photoboth I never recall posing for but end up finding my square head randomly photoboming a group of people’s «OMG BEST FRIENDS INFINITY!» picture.
The art can be quite random I feel. You’ can spend a hefty amount on a great piece of art. Or be drawn in by the kitsch of a $ 5 car poster. Or run into a poet who detests being online and prefers to randomly show up in moments of your life.
Did only 80% of this review make sense to you? Yeah that’s how market collective makes me feel.

People are always complaining about nothing to do in Calgary and then you list a few local events and they give you a blank look.
I hadn’t been to Market Collective in a couple years, but always have enjoyed going with some friends and though not always purchasing, enjoying browsing the wares and entertainment.
Now that Market Collective has been kicked out of their old haunting ground of the Ant building in Kensington, they have taken up new roots in a decommissioned Ferrari dealership.
Now I am not saying the MC is faster ;) It is a little annoying that is no longer close to a c-​train and out of central Calgary, but the Kensington BRZ and Calgary Parking Authority be haters. An artist’s gotta represent!
It is three bones to get in, or you can stretch your compassion and get in for free with a non-​perishable food item for the Calgary Food Bank. A CJSW Friend’s card gets you 2 – 1 admission!
Once inside the doors you are greeted by artists of all trades, from print, jewelry, leather working, tea craft, knitters, poets, t-​shirts, hand crafted cutting boards and just plain cool stuff.
Local musicians are also on stage all weekend long, so you can treat your ears to some sweet local sounds. In addition to the wares and I must point out the FREE COFFEE OR TEA, is the photo booth. Seriously go look at MC’s fb albums from previous MCs and if it doesn’t put a smile on your face, you have no soul. $ 5 gets you a print of your picture escapades!
Seriously check out Market Collective, it is great!

I’ve been going to Market for years now. I hit it up every time I can. It’s a very cool chill environment of local artists and activists who are out to share their passions.
The music is always great. The people are all very friendly and accepting. You may feel out of place if you’re dressed up, but seriously, no one cares.
My favorite part of it is the photo booth. There’s always a really cool theme and $ 5 gets you a really fun great quality photo, although you don’t have to buy it if you’re broke. It’s just fun to do.
You can pick up lots of different things from awesome clothes, paintings, I got a belt once that rocks my world, photos, jewellery, and music stuff.
Not to mention, you’re supporting local artists and contributing to the community. Angela’s done a wicked job with it.
Volunteer if you can.

If you’re not into the local, creative, artsy stuff, this place simply is not for you. I have volunteered at this event a number of times and always take the time to shop around either before of after my shift. The vibe at the Collective is wonderful and the shopping is great.
The location is perfect, suitable for the Kensington vibe and close to a train station. The building is amazing, with the second floor gallery’s often have really funky things, and there are about fifty tables of different artists selling their products. A lot of it can get repetitive with a number of painters, photographers, jewelers, etc., but sometime you find that local company/​artist that you fall in love with. Some of the companies are at every Collective (they must use their e-​mails like hawks to ensure they hit the first come first serve mark), which is great if you love them, not so much if you don’t.
The place is usually quite crowded since the tables and music stage take up a lot of space, add a few hundred people to that and it can be difficult to move around and shop. I think the Collective is starting to happen once a month, rather than every other month, which is great to help lessen the crowds hopefully, but I just hope they bring in some different artists.
Generally speaking: This is an event that is worth checking out at least once. It’s great for any age so don’t be afraid to pop by. And make sure to hit up the photo booth while you’re there.

Market Collective, take it or leave it, is one of the most unique and charming little things Calgary has going for it. I feel as though at the very least, it should at least be appreciated for what it is, if we ever wish for Calgary to possess a little bit of culture and community.
I do not mean to incorporate another’s review into my own, but I noticed the striking question, «Who does it benefit?» previously stated.
Market Collective is a lovely community space in which many emerging local artists and musicians are able to showcase their efforts (some for the first time) in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. I know a few local musicians who have received much exposure in the community from playing Market Collective and continue to thrive. As far as local artists, it offers an environment where one is able to book a table for the weekend and see how their work is received.
I do not mean to come from any bias, as I have been attending the Market Collective since 2008 when it first came to be, but this weekend has been my first Market Collective experience as a vendor. Vegan baking is a very consuming hobby of mine. While I have sold my baked goods privately, as well as travelled to other cities such as Victoria for business, this has been the first time I have ever sold large quantities of my vegan bakes at a public event in Calgary. At first I was terrified that I would make no sales. Despite having to be there all day, the warmness of the other local artists makes Market Collective a fun place to be. Also, I sold out of almost all my product by the end of the day, which showed me that if I did actually leave my house, the demand for vegan baked goods is there, and not all Calgarians are rednecks here for the oil money and steakhouses. ;)
All of the artists work extremely hard to prepare for Market Collective, and there is a variety of things to be seen; yes, there are feather earrings a plenty, but local clothing designers, jewellery makers, artists with paintings and prints, food, knitted goods for the winter, photography, and pottery also exist. Everything is hand crafted! While it perhaps isn’t for everyone, it pains me to see some of Calgary’s very talented individuals disrespected as «hipsters» or overlooked because their body of work may not appeal to everyone. Events such as Market Collective are rather important to the success of some of the artists and I am very happy it exists.
The event itself is run mainly by volunteers. Admission is a food bank donation to be passed along to the Interfaith Food Bank. Upstairs, there are typically other local organizations who seek to raise public awareness with various activities; this time around I have seen the Sexual Health organization, Take Back the Night with their brilliant adbusting activity, as well as the Calgary local filmmaker’s organization.