February 20, 2024
Twenty NBCCD students participated in the 2024 Craft East Buyers’ Expo, hosted by the Craft Alliance Atlantic Association.
The Craft East Buyers’ Expo is a premier event providing Atlantic Canadian craftspeople the opportunity to share and sell their products to gallery owners, buyers, and purchasers from Canada, the United States, and beyond. The NBCCD entrepreneurship students have proudly attended every year since 2005 as part of their curriculum, gaining valuable industry experience.
At the expo, students showcased their handmade creations, ranging from ceramics and textiles to jewellery and fine crafts. They also gained practical experience in taking wholesale orders, preparing marketing materials, and presenting their work in a professional setting. Networking with gallerists and store owners allowed students to build connections within the industry, paving the way for future collaborations and sales opportunities.
This year’s event took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from February 10 to 11, 2024, offering a vibrant platform for emerging artists and craftspeople to shine. Through this experience, NBCCD students demonstrated their entrepreneurial skills while representing the creative talent and innovation nurtured at the college.
This year, NBCCD students’ products included textile design, jewellery and metal arts, ceramics, and quillwork. Equipped with business cards, pitches, wholesale order forms, price lists, and advice from their instructors, many students found success at these shows—selling their products to wholesale retailers from far and wide and growing their reputation amongst the fine craft community.
For more information, please visit Craft East.
Ceramics student Kelly McCarthy was honoured with the prestigious Heather Stone Emerging Artist award at the Craft East Buyers' Expo 2024.
As the recipient of this esteemed award, Kelly will receive a complimentary booth at next year's Buyers' Expo.