Art is the He’ART of PCPS Market

Kelli McRobert | Dec 14, 2022

The sunshine seemed to have brought out the masses as the parking lot filled with cars, and excited children, early on Saturday morning.  The adjacent field acted as an overflow space for the abundance of attendees to the Prince Charles Public School’s Vendor Market.  The crisp air did not deter the kids who raced eagerly inside to share a breakfast meal with Santa. Verona was lucky that Santa was able to schedule a visit this year as his workshop has been inundated with requests for gifts and his elves have been working overtime to meet with the demands. 

His sleigh was tucked away out of sight on the rooftop as his reindeer grazed casually behind the school hidden amongst the trees of the KP Trail. If you took the time to listen, you could hear the faint jingle of bells emanating from the woodlands, a subtle reminder that the Christmas season is upon us. Thank goodness he can cover vast distances quickly and efficiently and chose to join this young audience and share the joys of the Christmas spirit. Giving; kindness; and compassion.

As you entered the school, you were taken to a wonderland of 45 vendors that lined the hallways, shared spaces, and gymnasium.  Each vendor offered up a variety of goods that you could purchase and presented their services that made great gift ideas -and some could be customized.  The friendly greeter welcomed visitors and food donations (South Frontenac Food Bank) were gratefully received or $1.00 for adult admission. 

The full breakfast was a mere $5.00 for pancakes, sausage, and a juice. To my left there was a lovely lady in from Trenton, selling her nail care items, and in the library, there were a few more sellers each sharing a small space. A community of sorts, as you tend to get to know many of the local merchants as you work the ‘vendor circuit’ throughout the year. At each booth there were communal members quietly knitting, reading, or playing computer games as they had been then for the duration of the day, and they come prepared with extra clothing, chairs, snacks, and entertainment to sustain them with the ebb and flow of crowds.

The PA system kept buyers informed as flash sales were announced at various tables with reduced pricing for a variety of items and the snack bar fuelled the shoppers as they roamed from booth to booth.  As I wandered, and mingled, it was fun to hear a few of their stories, where they were from, and what goes into the making of the treasures for sale.

One stop, I chatted with a lovely gal named Natasha, and she took me through the planning of some customized shirts, cool key chains, candles, and car cup pads. I cannot believe how technology continues to evolve and the printing looks soooo great now, flat, smooth, and one with the tee.  Her company is called White Tail Designs, and she can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or find her on Facebook for all your custom clothing and apparel. Next up, was meeting Annetta Coyle from Treefrog Designs who had a very interesting book page holder shaped like a bat, used to help reduce strain when holding books open!  Go figure.  She loves to work with resin, spray-paint, and wood, and self-admittedly is a ‘geek’ that loves creating items that are a bit ‘offbeat’ and she expresses herself through various media, and design.  She too can be found on Facebook, Instagram or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Moving along the West side was Kerie Cowick who is a self-proclaimed DIY’er, and crafter, and produces customized wood signs (popular these days), and acrylic ornaments.  She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I also ran into a familiar face, Nancy Traviss, from Homestead Studio Glass, who I had met during the North Frontenac tour, and she was there with her beautiful handmade glass beaded jewelry, and yet again, it caught my attention! The artwork is stunning, precise, and colourful. It is still something I am planning for a friend or two’s gifts, I just need to figure out, which and for whom?

As I wandered the vibrant and packed hallways of the school, shoppers of all ages were milling about with arms full of bright packages.  As I stopped to chat with our very own Nicki Gowdy, we had a chuckle as a young lady attempted to buy a wreath that Nicki had just purchased for herself! She and I continued our banter as we planned out a customized blanket for me in the future. Among her many talents, her blankets are ‘fab’, soft, plush, and carefully stitched -polished and professional, and did I mention reasonably priced?! Once I made it to the main gym, I was taken into a magical world of Christmas, festive decorations lined the tables and there was a community bustle about the event, friendly, warm, and inviting.  Elves, and helpers scurried around supporting the sale of fresh baked goods, drinks, and they kept visitors informed. As with any market, I tend to be drawn to the FOOD! The Salmon River Sugarbush table was jam packed with every possible maple syrup product.  I had the pleasure of chatting with Mark Youman as he explained the products and how they continue to develop new flavours to add to their extensive line. I sampled the yummy gingerbread maple butter and tasty maple garlic spice!  OMG….I stood there and dipped and licked the entire sample!  They made the trek from Tamworth and have been attending the show for quite some time. I was amazed to hear that they attend over 50 shows a year and sell maple products, baskets, wedding favors and more. They can be reached at 613-618-8619 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Along the way, I chatted with Lisa Ferguson whose images are classic and timeless. They reminded me of drawings from Peter Rabbit when my mother would read me a bedtime story. Comforting, and nostalgic with her own artistic take on the animal themed greeting cards.  Each card depicting a story, with carolling ‘cats’ (yes, the one that caught my eye, of course!), mice reading, and forest animals donned in their best winter woollies. Her cards can be found at www.studioferguson.com .

One artist who I had seen recently at the Sawmill show was Rhonda Babcook, ‘Art by Rhonda Lynn’, and her watercolours are absolutely AMAZING, as she takes a humorous approach to animals and nature and brings me right back to my childhood whimsy.  I cannot help myself but smile as an Ostrich looks back at me with wide-eyed curiosity. A brown rabbit, with his soft eyes, peers out with interest as his neighbour, the goat, munches some roughage, unimpressed by us ‘hoomans’. Each character is brought to life, coming off the canvas with a soft, animated, and loving look.  If kindness could be painted, Rhonda is the ‘Queen’. Ducks, rabbits, goats, and a goose that dons a candy-striped scarf to keep him warm, while on display, awaiting his new home and family. For more information email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-484-1897.

I admittedly stayed much longer than anticipated as I stopped by to see the metal works by Dan, and made a small purchase, and then looped around past the WestBeau Cottage Pure Canadian Beeswax candles and luminaries, which smells so nice! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Then past Knotty by Nature and their repurposed wood designs, and onto Bugs N’Goose’s Critters, Crafts, and Creations (cutest dolls ever!) that you can find on Facebook. I loved the photographers that were on site like Studio160 (www.studio160.ca ) who bring nature up close and personal with pristine clarity -impressive and awe inspiring, as they capture that exact moment in time. Nature, true perfection- imperfectly.

Finally, I looped back to say farewell to a few friends, new, and old, purchased a beautiful purple sweatshirt from Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre (www.sandypineswildlife.org ) and headed out the door.

I am often asked about my visits….they are, really, about the people.  I love hearing their stories, their connections to the community, and a behind-the-scenes look at random acts of kindness that are shared with me ‘off the record’.  This event was no different, with acts of kindness demonstrated.  Memories made for one young child. A piece of artwork on their wall, a reminder to be kind, a reminder of the value of money, and perhaps a lasting memory of a kind lady who listened, who cared, and who gave unconditionally.

Enjoy the holiday season and thank you to the volunteers, donors, and participants who helped make the event a success!