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Store with locally made arts and crafts opens at Cottonwood Centre in Chilliwack

Ch’illiwack Community Arts Council partners with mall to open Dragonfly Arts and Crafts
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A new retail store which exclusively sells items by local artists and artisans has opened in Cottonwood Centre.

Dragonfly Arts and Crafts is run by the Ch’illiwack Community Arts Council (CCAC) and they partnered with the mall to make it happen.

“Cottonwood has been really helpful in getting us in a place where we can represent our vendors,” said Reg Wilford, executive director of CCAC.

The arts council has been hit hard over the last 20 months. Their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Chilliwack Christmas Craft Market, was cancelled two years in a row –in 2020 it was cancelled due to the pandemic and this year it didn’t happen because of the Fraser Valley flooding.

“It’s been devastating for us to have cancelled it two years in a row.”

Every year, the Chilliwack Christmas Craft Market brings in 60 per cent of their operating expenses.

To help the arts council out, Cottonwood Centre has rented one of the vacant stores to CCAC for a very discounted rate.

As of Friday, Dec. 17, the store had products by 11 vendors. Items include hair accessories, cosmetics, bags, pet supplies and paintings.

“This is the artist’s dream,” said Chilliwack artist Lucas Simpson who has paintings in the store. “You’re right in front of the people, it’s incredibly accessible to the artist and it’s a retail space.”

They are looking for more vendors to join Dragonfly Arts and Crafts. The cost is $110 per month plus a small commission.

“Our main goal is to get out in the community and provide a space for the artists,” Wilford said. “It’s really important in these times to support local and keep the money in the community and encourage artists.”

Dragonfly Arts and Crafts is located at the northwest end of Cottonwood Centre next door to where the former Sears store was. The name ‘dragonfly’ comes from CCAC’s new branding and logo.

Artists and artisans who want to sell their items at the store can contact Wilford at rwilford@chilliwackartscouncil.com, or by phone at 360-366-6444 (cell) or 604-769-ARTS (office).

“You’re not only supporting the arts, you’re also supporting people’s dreams and helping facilitate that regular income,” Simpson said.

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Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
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