‘STRANDED’ canal-dwelling artists and craftspeople will be thrown a lifeline at an artisan fair in Rugby next weekend.
Art at the Alex is hosting a Festive Market to help waterways artists – whose main income comes from tourism on the canals – to make up for lost sales.
Their business has been hampered this year by water shortages and poor maintenance on the canals, meaning they have not been able to travel to the places where they would usually sell their wares.
Canal-dwelling artist Charlotte Ashman said: “Water shortage such as this has not been experienced since the summer of ’69, so it is not a common occurrence.
“With the economic struggles of recent years, this was the last thing traders on the canals needed.
“In an attempt to keep their businesses going, waterways traders are looking for bricks and mortar venues in which to sell their crafts before the slow winter period reduces their incomes further still.”
Charlotte persuaded Art at the Alex to host the market for eight canal-based artisans who usually trade across the canal system.
Chris Pegler, co-owner of the former pub in James Street, said: “We often have work by canal-dwelling artists on display here, so we are delighted to be able to help, and also to bring to the centre of Rugby examples of creative talent from the waterways.”
The Festive Market takes place from 11am to 6pm on Saturday (November 8). Visit www.artatthealex.com for more information.
