Makers of handmade goods can register now for the Gifted Winter Art Sale, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 15th at the Spark Centre in the multi-purpose rooms and the Legacy Gym.
"It's one of the most celebrated events of the holiday season, and we are so excited that our registrations are already over a quarter full and it's not even the end of August," shared Acting Chair of the Weyburn Arts Council, Natasha Hill. Note: registration became 50 per cent full within two days of the original publication of this article.
"The people that attend Gifted have a great time, get in the festive spirit, and just enjoy some community."
She said they only have room for 50 vendors, and some of those who have registered so far are entirely new vendors to the Gifted Summer and Winter sales..
Registration is $60, and the deadline for applications is September 30th. If they reach 50 vendors before the September 30th deadline, they will notify the public. To stay up to date with art events in Weyburn follow the Weyburn Arts Council on Facebook.
"We're doing it a little differently this year. Before we would have people submit pictures and then the applications were juried," Hill explained. "This year, you pay when you register, and in the event that we aren't able to fit you in, or in the event that there's already multiple vendors of that type, we will reimburse you your registration fee right away. So, in that respect, it's basically first come, first served. [It's] best to get your applications in as soon as you can."
With only one vendor of each type, she said, this is out of fairness to the vendors that are attending.
"If we have more than two vendors of the same type, then they're all splitting sales and people don't have a successful show, and ultimately that's our goal is that our vendors have a fabulous show."
Non-profit organizations can register for free.
"We have a level of sponsorship for corporate events, but also we don't charge non-profit organizations to participate," said Hill. "Last year we had the Weyburn Theatre in for their fundraiser, and we like to support the other non-profits in the community because the Weyburn Arts Council is a registered charity and it's part of our mandate to support community as well."
The event is free to attend, with a suggested donation of $2 at the door.
"All that money goes into our ReGifted micro-bursary program that we provide to Weyburn and surrounding communities, and the regifted scholarship program allows adults 18 and older to apply for up to $50 for one-time classes."
Learn more about ReGifted HERE.