ONE of the lead organizers of the Crafts Fest is hoping to bring together crafters, local creators, and creative business owners from the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the food and non-food sectors to the Second Annual Crafts Fest Dabaw.
Marj Alawi-Bulahan, one of the organizers of the event, said during the Habi at Kape media forum on Wednesday morning, September 27, that the goal of the event is to promote sustainability through creativity not just for the Dabawenyo artists but artists nationwide.
The fest is scheduled to take place at Pocket Park in Azuela Cove from October to December 2023 and features sustainability practices for creators.
Some of the participants are furniture makers, environment-friendly timber, Rainbow Loop Project, Mayari Art, and others coming from Carmen’s Kaantigo Novelty.
Part of the plan for the event is to invite other creators and creatives outside the Davao Region. A crocheter from Baguio wants to share her Mandala crochet with Dabawenyos crochet enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, Crafts Fest Ar. Enp. Tricia Sardinia-Peek expressed that they have prepared 30 stalls for the food and non-food merchants. The event highlights upcycled products and is an avenue for MSMEs to showcase their products.
“The space is there, it is open to a lot of innovators in terms of creativity so hindi lang yung the usual things na naiisip natin [it is not only the usual things that we can think of] about what is a creative product,” Sardinia-Peek said.
She pointed out how they too, are surprised with the variety of creative products available in the region and how immensely they need support in pursuing their craft.
Alawi-Bulahan added that they want to create an experience for all those who will be visiting the event, saying that they wanted to create an experience where buyers get to meet the creators.
“While we carefully curate art pieces and craft products made with sustainability in mind and to make a meaningful holiday gift, we also want to create an experience — an experience where we meet the artist in that space,” Alawi-Bulahan said.
Interactive crafts by well-known artists such as Noi Narciso would be put up in the area so visitors would be able to enjoy the art pieces.
Unlike last year when it only had a small number of creators, the event this year boasts a huge number of collaborators and will feature interactive art pieces. RGP
