Duane Rolheiser

A treasured annual opportunity to support Central Alberta Artists!

The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG) is gearing up to host the annual Rare & Remarkable Artisan Market, featuring a curated selection of local artisans and makers that offers a unique shopping experience just in time for holiday gift giving. Taking place in the permanent exhibit “Remarkable Red Deer: Stories from the Heart of the Parkland”, the Rare & Remarkable Artisan Market is in a one-of-a-kind setting that encourages learning more about the community, buying local, and the chance to take in the incredible artwork currently up in Gallery One & Two. FRIDAY November 21, 2025, is open to Members of the Red Deer & District Museum Society only. Members are invited to be the first to peruse the Rare & Remarkable Artisan Market, gather with one another to catch up, and enjoy a beverage or two plus some delicious nibbles provided by Sprouts Catering. A small way for the MAG to say thank you to our members for another great year. Memberships can be purchased online or at the MAG’s front desk. On SATURDAY November 22, 2025, the Rare & Remarkable Artisan Market will open to the public, with admission being free and donations to the MAG gratefully accepted. The same day has Rotary Recreation Park coming to life with the Golden Circle Seniors Resource Centre, Norwegian Laft Hus, and Red Deer Pottery Club (located inside the Rec Centre Lobby) also hosting their markets and sales! “I love that we are able to collaborate with our friends in Rotary Recreation Park to offer an expansive local market opportunity for our community in lead up to the holiday shopping season in a way that supports our local makers and artists,” says Chandra Kastern, Executive Director of the MAG, “everyone is encouraged to plan to wander the park to find a few treats and treasures.” A listing of this year’s Rare & Remarkable Artisans can be found in the events calendar located at www.reddeermuseum.com. Helpful Tips For Market Goers:

• Support the venue: Becoming a member or making a donation to the host venue(s) helps support these kinds of events.
• Bring cash and/or card: While many artisans likely accept cards, having cash (or mobile payment) gives you flexibility.
• Gift ready mindset: As it’s timed for the holidays, think about what kinds of items you might be looking for - small gifts, unique one offs, art pieces.
• Ask the maker: Often artisans will talk about their process — this can make the purchase more meaningful (and perhaps lets you learn about custom orders).
• Browse broadly: Since items span pottery, textiles, paintings, printmaking, ceramic, baked or handmade goods — take your time to explore all of the booths in all of the locations throughout the park.
• Parking & access: Parking is FREE in the lot shared with the Rec Centre & Golden Circle.
• Bring a tote or bag: If you buy fragile items like pottery or glass, plan accordingly (padding or protective carrier).

About Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery The Red Deer & District Museum began in 1972, marking the City of Red Deer’s 60th anniversary. The Museum expanded into its present quarters in 1978 and has since been the home to permanent collections that consist of more than 65,000 objects which capture the social history and tell the stories of Red Deer & District. These days we operate as the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, a not-for-profit, charitable arts & heritage organization that is supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the City of Red Deer. Find out more at: https://reddeermuseum.com/