Artists and artisans ready for Festival of Arts June 4

David Erman
For NewsNow

Moriah Kostuk-Simpson has visited the Grimsby Festival of Arts many times in the past, but this will be her first year where she is taking part as an artist and vendor.

Kostuk-Simpson, a Grimsby native, makes custom handcrafted jewellery. She will be one of over 40 unique artisans who create high quality art at the Festival, which will be celebrating its 50th year this year.

“I used to go all the time with my mom growing up, but this is the first time I’ve ever been in the show,” Kostuk-Simpson said.

The annual Grimsby Festival of Arts will take place on Saturday, June 4 at the Grimsby Peach King Centre. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The juried show features handcrafted items from a host of exhibitors.

There will be a beer and wine garden, food trucks and live entertainment.

Coming from what she calls a crafty family, making jewellery was a hobby of hers when she was young. Kostuk-Simpson studied jewellery art at George Brown College in Toronto, learning the goldsmithing techniques and design skills needed to create unique items.

When she makes her jewellery, Kostuk-Simpson said she tries to use materials already on-hand as much as possible, as she recycles and reuses things and gives them a second life, such as family heirlooms. She also has hosted workshops to show people how to repurpose old jewellery to make one-of-a kind items.

“It’s one thing to keep them safe and keep them in your jewellery box, but I always think it’s neat when you can make yourself something that you can wear,” Kostuk-Simpson said.

Kostuk-Simpson, who works at Station 1 coffeehouse, said that the community of Grimsby always seems to appreciate art.
“Growing up in Grimsby, …the library, the art gallery and the museum always seemed to do a good job of giving local artists somewhere to show their work,” she said.

She notes that there’s a number of local festivals for artists to show and present their work locally.

“I think the community really appreciates hand-made and local artwork.”

Admission to the Festival of Arts is $5 for adults, and children under the age of 16 are free.

All proceeds from the Festival go to support community programs and services offered through Community Living Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln and the Rotary Club of Grimsby.

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Moriah Kostuk-Simpson of Grimsby will be one of many talented artists and artisans to showcase the fruits of their at the Rotary Club of
Grimsby’s Festival of Arts in support of Community Living.
Williscraft – Photo