Celebrate Local BIPOC Artisans at the Craft & Colour Market on Sunday, April 26

Press Release – Mississippi Valley Textile Museum and The Inclusion Project

On Sunday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., celebrate local artisans who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour! Hosted at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in partnership with The Inclusion Project with support from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, the Craft & Colour Market is an opportunity to support and chat with local talent and business owners. The market will have live music and is free to all. Donations are encouraged, so the museum can continue hosting free and accessible community events. 

This year’s market features artisans living and creating in Mississippi Mills and the surrounding areas – including Ahlena Ceramics, Angela Hui Custom Cakes & Fine Pastries, Badiya, Happybara Creations, Insha, and Two Generation Crafts. Ahlena Ceramics creates functional and sculptural nerikomi ceramics – cups, bowls, jewelry, and more, while Angela Hui Custom Cakes & Fine Pastries will have your mouth watering with sweets like macarons, mini-cakes, and chocolates! Living and working in Almonte, Badiya sells clothing and handmade Tatreez accessories from the Levant and Arab world. Happybara Creations crochets adorable plushies and stylish bags, and Insha has your summer wardrobe covered with linen and linen blend clothing sewn locally in Almonte. Two Generation Crafts is an Almonte-based mother-daughter duo, creating seal skin art and beaded jewelry. More fantastic artisans will be at the Craft & Colour Market, and local DJ Jahawi will be bringing the tunes, along with a set from oud player, Fadi Taiba.

“The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Board is pleased to support the 2026 Craft & Colour Vendor Market. This event provides an important platform for talented BIPOC artisans to showcase their work and celebrate one another at this second annual event,” said Skylee-Storm Hogan-Stacey, Board President, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. “The Board recognizes that the impact of this market reaches beyond the Museum; it supports community relationships and holds space for BIPOC artists. We are grateful for the dedication of organizers, the creativity of vendors, and the enthusiasm of attendees, whose contributions make the Craft & Colour Vendor Market a soul-nourishing event. Initiatives like this enrich our cultural landscape and advance the Museum’s mission to celebrate diversity, creativity, and inclusion, and advance spaces for cultural and economic reconciliation for the BIPOC artisan community.”

The Inclusion Project and Mississippi Valley Textile Museum are proud to present a market dedicated to the diverse artistry of the region, which may not always be seen- but always exists. 2026 marks the second Craft & Colour Vendor Market, which is likely to be an annual event. 

“The Inclusion Project believes in celebrating, amplifying, and honouring the diverse cultures in our community. We are delighted to partner with the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum to support the 2026 Craft & Colour Vendor Market, a beautiful way to support local artisans and business owners,” said Sanjeev Sivarulrasa, Chair, The Inclusion Project. “The Inclusion Project is committed to creating shared networks, spaces, and events that foster connection and move everyone towards a more inclusive future.”