Cochrane has an abundance of creative people and the Arts and Culture Foundation Cochrane (ACFC) are looking to highlight artists and artisans of all mediums.

ACFC will be hosting an artisan market every Sunday from June 5- October 2, 12pm -5 pm, in Historic Downtown Cochrane.

Ruth Soroka, President of ACFC says, they are hoping Cochranites will embrace and support their new venture.

"We are really excited about bringing some life and some excitement down to the downtown on a weekend, and hoping residents will see themselves coming downtown to be part of the excitement that is happening."

Romy Jansen, Vice President of ACFC says, downtown is the perfect venue.

"The Town of Cochrane's mandate I think is to revive the downtown core of Cochrane and it is true that except the ice cream store on a nice warm afternoon everything else seems to be pretty slow, and that is a pity because we have the most beautiful downtown."

An artisan market could not exist without vendors and ACFC comments that only handcrafted items will be sold.

"We are wanting vendors who actually produce the products that they are going to be selling. So far we have glass artists, someone who designs terrariums, wood working, photographers, hand knitting, and lots of jewellery coming. We are looking for anything that is unique."

Soroka shares, besides vendors, ACFC is wanting to have a variety of artists, musicians, dancers, and performing artists, perform throughout the day. 

"We would like to be advertising for all of the arts, for the dance clubs, the drama clubs, and everything else.

The artisan market for this year will be kept in the Centennial Plaza downtown, but that locale may change over time depending on how the market is recieved.

"If we are successful this year, which we hope we are, then there is a possibility either in the same spot but with the help of the township close down some streets or maybe move the whole venue to another place that has more room. So all that is to be seen.

The ACFC has been a registered Foundation since 2009, and Jansen is hoping the market will bring more awareness to the group.

"We do need more people that will get involved, only if we are stronger can we accomplish more. If anybody out there would like to help us out to make this town a prosperous and very artistic town please do come out."

Jansen comments that art is extremely important in life.

"To be human you have to be artistic and to feel art you have to be human."

If you would like to be a vendor or performer at the upcoming artisan market you can contact the ACFC here.