Mapping creativity

Being an artist is a rewarding career choice, but it doesn’t always pay the bills.

With little money in the advertising coffers, creative types often have to rely on word-of-mouth to draw traffic to their studios.

In Thunder Bay for the past nine summers they’ve also had the Handmade Map, a self-guided tour of some of the finest potters, photographers, painters and carvers the city has to offer.

This year they’re adding a twist, inviting the public to take one of three six-business tours, have a ballot stamped to prove they were at all six, and then submit for a chance to win prizes created by the artists in question.

It’s an idea Thelma Heinrich said the guide has been blessing in the past and the passport portion should see traffic increase even further.

"This event, which brings it more to the attention of our local people, is really important because maybe they’ll get a guide and come into the store and say ‘Where do we go next?’ said Heinrich, owner of the Crafter’s Corner.

In a tough economy, creative entrepreneurs are looking for any advantage, she added, noting there’s one reason she continues on.

"It’s a labour of love. It is very difficult for us. We’re a very small store, and we can’t afford to advertise. Something like this is advertising for us. When you don’t advertise people don’t learn about you, they don’t come in," she said.

Camille Overmeer, owner of The Camellia, said it’s an important time of year for artists, and a very busy one. The idea of an actual tour, complete with on-site demonstrations, had been kicked around for a few years, but organizers weren’t sure artists would have time to take part.

But once the subject was broached, 18 jumped on board, Overmeer said.

"We were overwhelmed with the response of the artisans and it sort of went from there," she said.

"It’s very important to raise awareness in the public and in the community of the quality of arts and crafts that there are out there in the City of Thunder Bay. Obviously we’re hoping the public will come out and purchase our products, but we’re also hoping to inspire people that maybe want to take a class or learn how to take photographs or weave or whatever it might be, to encourage people to get in touch with their creative selves."

While the main portion of the summer sampler tour, and most of the demonstrations, are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the public will be able to get passports stamped through the end of July.

Passports are available at participating locations, libraries an online at www.thunderbayventures.com. Several thousand were also delivered with last week’s Thunder Bay Source.