New Hawk and Harvest market focuses on local artisans in Lethbridge

The new Hawk and Harvest market in Lethbridge has given local vendors the opportunity to connect directly with their customers.

Goods from honey to soap, and jewelry to scarves is being sold at the market, which is set up at the Coulee Brew Co.

What started as a vision for artist and jewelry maker Lauren Hart, quickly turned into Lethbridge’s first ever creative commune.

“I’m happy that there is finally another outlet for people to show what they have,” Lauren Hart, the Hawk + Harvest Market organizer, said. “I try really hard to support even the really small artists like the ones just graduating university who just want to get their name out there.”

Hart was inspired by markets she visited during her travels and wanted to bring a similar experience to Lethbridge.

“There was a lack of space for artists to come together and for locals to get to know who the small businesses are, who are the artisans in the community,” Hart said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There was a lack of space for artists to come together and for locals to get to know who the small businesses are, who are the artisans in the community," Hart said.

Support from the community was overwhelming with hundreds packing the Coulee Brewery venue to buy local art.

“People are happy to have something else to do in the city, something else to check out that goes into night life a bit, mixing shopping with socializing,” Hart said.

Attendees were excited that they were able to get their hands on one-of-a-kind items.

“When it’s so unique and you know that you can only get it this one time, you definitely want to buy it,” Rylee Heller said. “I didn’t know that we had so many good quality products available right here in the city.”

A total of 16 vendors from around Southern Alberta were handpicked by Hart, curating a perfect market, with something for everyone.

“I just wanted to bring new stuff to the people here, to show a good range of everything going on in southern Alberta,” Hart said.

“I find it really helpful and important to connect with our customers  face-to-face,” Brad Gadd, owner of Populess Company, said. “We do have an online presence, so, sometimes we don’t get that face-to- face connection with our customers, and this is really awesome to see their reaction and touch and feel, and even see what they like and don’t like.”

The Hawk and Harvest market is a new forum that brings together artists and supporters and provides another opportunity for the growing art scene in Lethbridge and southern Alberta.

Organizers plan to host the next market sometime in the winter.