| Jul 25, 2018


When the Fantasy in the Forest Art Show and Sale began, there were six artists.

This year, the show’s 24th season, that’s grown to 63 exhibitors in 57 booths.

They’ve even grown to the point where they can provide space to some charities such as Sheba’s Haven, a lady raising money for school children in Nepal and school construction in Haiti.

It’s a two-day show on Draper Road west of Perth Road Village and on Sunday morning, founder, king and fellow exhibitor Jamie Brick almost welcomed the dark clouds off in the distance.

“Yesterday (Saturday) was so overwhelming with people, parking and traffic,” Brick said. “When it’s all over, I’ll be happy again and ready to do it all over next year.”

He wasn’t sure there would be a ‘next year’ when he first started this.

“But we said, if nothing else, we’ll have a party,” he said. “We still have that, the Mad Hatter’s Pot Luck supper and we had it last night.”

For those unfamiliar with this particular art show, it seems a bit of an understatement to say it’s unique. To be sure there are a variety of painters, sculptors, jewelry makers and some crafters that simply defy definition, the vast majority of which feature fantasy elements. And it’s in the woods.

But it’s safe to say it’s the attitude of everybody there that sets it apart. Much of the fantasy aspect is mediaeval, Tolkienesque, with a healthy dose of steampunk mixed in. Many of the artists and artisans are in costume, and . . . in character.

When one such character was questioned about being an anachronism because he was wearing a tricorn hat, without missing a beat he quickly replied “I got caught in a damn time loop.”

Another aspect of the show is that they’ve taken to giving a space to a younger artist or two so that they can gain experience.

And what an experience for Kate Sanchez and Kate Woods, Ryerson art students who grew up in Mississauga and whose minds were definitely blown.

“It’s a new world here,” said Sanchez.

This was their first art show for the best friends who grew up as neighbours, went to high school together, Ryerson together and who are now starting their own art business, Kate & Kate Co. They collaborate on all their art pieces.

They had no idea what to expect “when Jamie invited us” and were definitely blown away in the beginning but after settling in, they’ve managed to keep things in some sort of perspective.

“We sold our first piece here, and that was the goal,” said Woods.

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