1. Maker/DIY culture
2. Arts Organizing
3. Curation
2. Arts Organizing
3. Curation
Craft or die!!!
The Royal Bison Art + Craft Fair
︎︎︎established 2007
︎︎︎ retired 2023
Between 2010-2023 Vikki was the lead organizer of the Royal Bison Art and Craft Fair in Edmonton, Alberta. Her work with the fair earned her a Top 40 Under 40 award from Edify Magazine in 2021.
The Royal Bison Fair was DIY, vendor-run, aligned with the Edmonton arts community, staunchly independent and one hell of a good time for vendors and visitors alike! The fair acted as a springboard and showcase for the city's creative endeavors. The twice-annual, tightly curated event was an un-missible part of the Edmonton design/maker scene, and created strong connections between creatives that continue to this day. With intentionally low table fees, the Royal Bison aimed to be a place for creative endeavours that might not be possible in other venues.
︎︎︎established 2007
︎︎︎ retired 2023
Between 2010-2023 Vikki was the lead organizer of the Royal Bison Art and Craft Fair in Edmonton, Alberta. Her work with the fair earned her a Top 40 Under 40 award from Edify Magazine in 2021.
The Royal Bison Fair was DIY, vendor-run, aligned with the Edmonton arts community, staunchly independent and one hell of a good time for vendors and visitors alike! The fair acted as a springboard and showcase for the city's creative endeavors. The twice-annual, tightly curated event was an un-missible part of the Edmonton design/maker scene, and created strong connections between creatives that continue to this day. With intentionally low table fees, the Royal Bison aimed to be a place for creative endeavours that might not be possible in other venues.
Over the years the fair benefitted from the blood, ink and spreadsheet tears of many community members, who were all involved in keeping the fair going over the years (see the history zine here).
Big thanks to illustrator Raymond Biesinger for starting the fair in 2007, before handing it off to Vikki plus fellow vendors Jeanie Andronyk and Josh Holinaty in 2010. Through the 2010’s, the fair benefitted greatly from the efforts of artist-vendors Emily Chu, Jim Johansson and Andrew Benson. Between 2020-2022 the fair existed in an online shop format, linking makers to income during a tenuous time. A post-pandemic reckoning with her own artistic priorities led Vikki to retire from organizing the fair. The last-ever Royal Bison happened in December 2023. End of an era!
︎︎︎Royal Bison History Zine [PDF, 4.8MB]
︎︎︎Beloved Royal Bison Art and Craft Fair makes its final appearance | Edmonton Journal • Nov 2023
︎︎︎How Royal Bison united a community of creators | CBC • Nov 2023
︎︎︎Top 40 Under 40: Vikki Wiercinski | Edify Magazine • 2021
Big thanks to illustrator Raymond Biesinger for starting the fair in 2007, before handing it off to Vikki plus fellow vendors Jeanie Andronyk and Josh Holinaty in 2010. Through the 2010’s, the fair benefitted greatly from the efforts of artist-vendors Emily Chu, Jim Johansson and Andrew Benson. Between 2020-2022 the fair existed in an online shop format, linking makers to income during a tenuous time. A post-pandemic reckoning with her own artistic priorities led Vikki to retire from organizing the fair. The last-ever Royal Bison happened in December 2023. End of an era!
︎︎︎Royal Bison History Zine [PDF, 4.8MB]
︎︎︎Beloved Royal Bison Art and Craft Fair makes its final appearance | Edmonton Journal • Nov 2023
︎︎︎How Royal Bison united a community of creators | CBC • Nov 2023
︎︎︎Top 40 Under 40: Vikki Wiercinski | Edify Magazine • 2021
