Calling All Artists! Applications are Open for the 12th Annual CRAFTED

Press Release

Artists and designers from across Manitoba and the North invited to apply!

Winnipeg, Manitoba, : The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is thrilled to announce the opening of applications for the 12th annual CRAFTED, Winnipeg’s premier sale of contemporary craft and fashion event celebrating makers from across Canada’s North and South.

Bringing together artists and designers from Manitoba, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut, CRAFTED 2026 will feature a vibrant runway experience alongside a large-scale marketplace showcasing contemporary craft, fashion, and handmade design. The event offers artists an opportunity to connect with shoppers, while building relationships with fellow makers from across the country.

New for 2026, CRAFTED on the Catwalk will take place on September 15 to celebrate the international success of the hit APTN, CBC and Netflix series North of North. This year’s special edition of CRAFTED on the Catwalk will honour North of North’s profound cultural impact and highlight how the series has propelled authentic Northern fashion into the global spotlight. The fashion show will spotlight designers and talent connected to the show. Following the runway event, there will be a North of North Market on September 16 highlighting designers and artists whose work appears in the series alongside Northern vendors. A screening of North of North followed by a Q&A and meet-and-greet with cast members will also take place during one of these events.

The signature CRAFTED: Show + Sale returns November 6-8, transforming all four floors of WAG-Qaumajuq into a destination for contemporary craft and design. Applications for CRAFTED on the Catwalk, the accompanying Living Lookbook event, and CRAFTED: Show + Sale are now open through May 31, 2026. All applications will be considered through a juried selection process.

Quick Facts:

• Applications are now open for participation in CRAFTED on the Catwalk and CRAFTED Show + Sale. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2026.
• Since 2015, CRAFTED has become Winnipeg’s leading sale of contemporary craft, drawing thousands of visitors and generating approximately $450,000 in sales for artists annually.
• New this year, CRAFTED on the Catwalk will take place on September 15 to celebrate North of North and its profound global impact on Northern fashion. The runway will feature up to 200 looks, including ready-to-wear fits, sculptural designs, and wearable works of art. Models will be styled with handmade accessories created by CRAFTED vendors.
• On September 16, the North of North Market will showcase designers and artists from the series along with Northern makers.
• A screening of the show with a Q&A and meet-and-greet event will be programmed during one of these two events (exact date TBC).
• The 12th annual CRAFTED Show + Sale will take place November 6-8, 2026. Visitors can shop from 100 craft artists throughout all four floors of the Gallery.
• To support participating artists, CRAFTED maintains accessible participation fees, and artists keep 100% of profits from their sales.

Quotes:

“CRAFTED is all about creating connections – between artists and audiences, North and South, fashion and contemporary craft. This year’s partnership with North of North brings an exciting new energy to the event, while continuing to celebrate the incredible creativity of artists across Manitoba and the North. We can’t wait to welcome both returning and first-time makers to WAG-Qaumajuq this fall.”

— Sherri Van Went, Manager of Retail Operations & Partnerships, WAG-Qaumajuq

Associated Links

CRAFTED Application Guide
CRAFTED 2026

Support

WAG-Qaumajuq thanks CBC and their CBC original series North of North (North of North is co-produced by CBC and Netflix in partnership with APTN, and produced by Red Marrow Media and Northwood Entertainment), the Manitoba Craft Council, Northwest Territories Arts, Nunavut Development Corporation, Avataq Cultural Institute, and the Nunatsiavut Government for their partnership.

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Katryna Barske
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
kbarske@wag.ca

For CBC and North of North

Winston Ma
CBC PR
winston.ma@cbc.ca

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