As the holiday season is quickly approaching, people are getting started on those wish lists on what to buy for friends and family.
The Polygon Gallery has transformed their retail space into a festive shopping destination for their annual holiday shop until Jan. 5.
More than 100 independent makers and artists from across the Lower Mainland and B.C. are participating, which is twice as many as last year, Polygon Gallery head of guest experience Chris MacKay said.
“The holidays are our favourite time of year, as we love creating an inviting space where the community can come together and celebrate,” MacKay said. “This year, we’re focusing on making the shop a hub for connection, with events that fill the space with fun, festive energy.”
Some featured vendors include Indigenous skincare brand Skwálwen, Kasama Chocolate, Canadian decor and lifestyle brand Ebb & Flow, and Knitbone Ceramics.
Vancouver clothing brand Little Mountain will be returning to the gallery, featuring a mostly-local Canadian lineup of women-led and BIPOC makers.
The holiday shop will hold Meet the Makers events every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., highlighting a local artist.
They are also hosting weekly workshops throughout the season to bring in the holiday cheer, including a new flash tattoo pop-up, MacKay said.
A dozen local tattoo artists will offer designs of their work for people to pick and get inked.
“I just love to do unexpected events,” Mackay said. “Tattooing is one of my favourite art forms. I think we have so many talented tattoo artists that live around Vancouver, and I really wanted to showcase a type of art that we don’t often get to see in a gallery setting.”
Other workshops this season include introduction to tea, wreath making, somatic dance, tintype portrait sessions and a bookstore holiday sale.
One vendor participating is Charlie Girl Goods, a small-batch confectionery based in Vancouver that will be selling salted butter rum and gingerbread caramels as tasty holiday treats. The holidays mark the busiest time of year for owner Sabrina Johnston, spending nearly 12-hour days in the kitchen preparing caramels and lollipops to sell.
“Running a small business is hard, it’s a hustle, but it’s my passion,” Johnston said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. You have so much pride when you hear someone say how much they enjoy the things that you create.”
Johnston’s passion for sweets began when she was a kid in her North Vancouver home baking with her mom. As she got older, she ended up working in the finance industry, but after 25 years, Johnston needed a change.
She swapped the suit for an apron and launched Charlie Girl Goods four years ago, naming it after her daughter, Charlie, to show it’s never too late to live out your dreams.
“My daughter was the inspiration, and it really is a way for me to show her that no matter what stage in life, you need to take the risk and follow your dreams,” Johnston said.
Bringing people together
Mackay and Johnston both say holiday shops like at The Polygon are not just vending oppourtuntites, but also a great way to bring the community together.
Having Meet the Makers events and other workshops helps do just that, Mackay said.
“It’s just nice seeing people that might not have met each other otherwise, becoming fast friends … just building those relationships,” she said.
People also get to learn the stories behind the products they are buying, Johnston said.
“In the city, it’s so easy to buy from the big box. There’s a lot of care that’s taken to pick out locally made products that are high quality and really lovely,” Johnston said.
Admission is by donation. For more information, visit The Polygon’s website.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative. [email protected]
