Winnipeg is quickly gaining a reputation as an extremely talented city. Local restaurants and shops are sprouting up in all areas of the city to showcase the talent housed within its limits. But despite the platforms becoming increasingly available, there is still so much untapped talent.
Cue Chandra Kremski, Charla Smeall, and Kris Antonius of Third + Bird.
Although Third + Bird had humble beginnings, starting out as a fundraiser for art programming, Kremski and Smeall quickly realized the potential of the craft show.
“We tapped into something that was clearly a desire, a want, a need, within the community,” said Kremski.
Fast-forward seven years and Third + Bird now finds itself curating two events annually to showcase the work of local artisans and connect patrons to Manitoba makers.
“We see our role in the event as providing a really beautiful, artistic space, finding great material, social media, and advertising, and giving a huge spotlight to these vendors who may not have really strong marketing skills or may not have the retail outlets that they are super deserving of,” said Kremski.
“We see ourselves as facilitators; we want to bring a spotlight to local, handmade vendors. So our criteria is making sure we find really high quality products made by people who are from Manitoba.”
Finding the best handmade goods in Manitoba is not an easy task. Following an intensive application process, a jury weighs the pros and cons of each applicant before the final lineup is chosen. Third + Bird now has to turn down over 50 per cent of the applicants because of space restraints.
“It’s a happy kind of chaos,” said Smeall.
“We want to know what will speak to the vast majority of people. I think part of the uniqueness of our sale is that we have product that other people don’t have.”
At the end of the process, they are left with two full floors of tables featuring the best artisanal products in the province.
While fostering the talent of local arts, Third + Bird also aims to develop artisans globally by raising money for the Nepali Women’s Co-Op.
“The women’s co-op in Nepal has always been something that has been a part of that church. In the Himalayan region, there are a lot of women who are living on the streets or living in the slums – living in really awful circumstances and have no skills,” said Kremski.
“So what they do is take a handful of women and put them through a tailoring program and at the end of the program, they give them a sewing machine and they are fully employable because they now have these skills.”
The philanthropic aspect of Third + Bird creates a full circle effect of artisans supporting artisans, whether it be on a local scale or a broader global platform. The craft show also always features a table carrying goods made by the women in Nepal.
“It’s such a good partnership because we’re highlighting and supporting local artists and getting revenue to them, and so it makes sense to be supporting women artisans out there and bringing revenue and life skills. It just felt like a perfect match.”
Third + Bird attributes the success of their ability to support local and global artisans through their events to the buy-local attitude prevalent in Winnipeg.
“We really appreciate the Winnipeg community, because I think what’s really special about this city is that people do really value supporting local events or local shops. I think Winnipeggers are really conscientious of that, and they’re excited. They see the value in what’s taking place. That’s really huge.”
The second annual spring market is on May 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 782 Main Street. Admission is $3. For more information, visit thirdandbirdevents.com
