Women’s Institute ends 40 years of art and craft shows; moving to new vision

UPDATE MARCH 26: The Cherry Valley Women’s Institute along with the County Curling Club and other community members have stated they will start a new Art & Craft Sale, for now called the Prince Edward County (Picton) Art & Craft Sale, this year to be held Aug. 1st.

MARCH 5: Last year’s 40th anniversary Art and Craft Sale will be the last hosted by the Prince Edward District Women’s Institute.

The annual all-day first Thursday in August event drew thousands of visitors – by foot, vehicles and bus loads – to the Picton fairgrounds to peruse wares from more than 150 crafters and artisans.

It has been 40 years since the six branches of the Prince Edward District Women’s Institute (PEDWI) created the sale to raise funds to meet a need in the County for accessible transportation.

The organization began studying the issue of transit in 1989 and was instrumental in the launch of the program in 2007 with a $100,000 donation over the first five years and continued donations annually with funds raised primarily through the annual dale. Cumulatively, those donations surpassed the $150,000 mark.

The service for seniors and people with mobility issues, contracted through Quinte Access, is door-to-door and is also funded by the municipality, user fees and Ontario’s gas tax program to provides nearly 10,000 trips each year.

“Prince Edward District Women’s Institute members had a vision and from that vision the PEDWI Art and Craft Sale was created,” said PEDWI president Kim de Bruin. “By networking with several community groups and services and the municipality, Prince Edward District WI members were able to use their Art & Craft Sale profits to help implement an accessible transportation system and realize their dream…. and also provide support to other worthy needs in the community.

“Having accomplished our main goal of contributing to and supporting the successful outcome of accessible transportation, the members of the six branches of Prince Edward District Women’s Institute have made the difficult decision that the 2023 PEDWI Art & Craft Sale was our last
sale. It is now time to move on and create another vision for our organization,” said de Bruin.

“It takes the support of a community and beyond to accomplish a grand vision such as this and we are truly grateful to all of you, our vendors, County council, County staff members, local businesses, other volunteer organizations and our dedicated patrons, who showed up year after year.

“To our Women’s Institute members, you have shown that when you pour your whole heart into something that you truly believe in, great things can be accomplished. We ask for your ongoing support as we continue to make contributions to our community, whether it be monetary donations to various causes, letters of support for others, education sessions, student bursaries, student food programs and much more. It has been a wonderful journey and we look forward with great anticipation to our next adventure.”

WI empowering women to make a difference for more than 100 years