Painted Wings and Local Things

The Summer’s Coming Market in Wabigoon is This Weekend’s Must-Visit

Tanya McArthur has a way of making the delicate look powerful. Her hand-painted dragonfly cards, shimmering with the kind of detail you only get from hours of patient observation, are set to be a major draw at this Saturday’s “Summer’s Coming” Craft Market in Wabigoon. While the dragonflies might be made of paper and ink, they capture the exact moment the North begins to wake up—making them the perfect local centerpiece for an event celebrating the transition into the warmer months.

Held at the Métis Center on Johnson Road on May 2, the market is a concentrated dose of Northwestern Ontario talent. Joining McArthur is fellow regional artist Francine Higgins, along with a roster of makers bringing everything from custom-designed clothing to rugged woodwork. It’s the kind of gathering where the “handmade” label isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a promise. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry or a hand-carved bowl, the items on these tables carry the stories of the people who live and work right here in the Dryden and Wabigoon area.

This event comes at the perfect time for anyone currently sweating over a gift for Mother’s Day. Moving through the stalls at the Métis Center feels less like shopping and more like a community catch-up, complete with on-site food to keep your energy up while you browse. There is a specific joy in buying a gift when you can shake the hand of the person who made it, and this Saturday offers five solid hours to do exactly that.

The doors open at 9:00 am, and if the local buzz is any indication, you’ll want to get there early to snag the best of the bunch. Between the fine art of Tanya McArthur and the wide array of homemade goods, the market is a reminder that while summer might still be “coming,” the creativity in our region is already in full bloom. It’s a great excuse to get out, support your neighbors, and maybe take a little piece of local art home with you.

About the Author

Art Borups Corners

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Art Borup’s Corners is a northern arts incubator based in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario, where community-led creativity, land-based practice, and digital innovation come together. Rooted in the cultural rhythms of the boreal forest and shaped by years of grassroots organizing across Ontario, Manitoba, Nunavut, and Minnesota, Borup’s Corners supports artists, youth, and community members through participatory storytelling, climate-focused projects, and creative entrepreneurship. From wild blueberry walks to immersive exhibitions and applied AI research, our seasonal programs and artist residencies foster connection, skill-building, and self-determined expression—all grounded in place, culture, and care.

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