JASON SETNYK
The Punk Rock Crafters Market brought a wave of DIY culture to Cornwall as artists, music fans, and community members gathered at the Royal Canadian Legion for a day-long celebration of alternative culture.
The event featured a wide range of vendors offering handmade crafts, original artwork, zines, prints, patches, vintage clothing, and more. Bud’s Records and Kool Things drew steady attention with crates of vinyl, while a pay-what-you-can donation station supported Diversity Cornwall.
For many vendors, the market reflected the enduring do-it-yourself ethos that has long defined punk culture in the city.
“DIY is everything,” said Christine Sabourin of Meraxic Creations. “You’ve got to try it, you’ve got to do it. It’s rewarding to see what you can create yourself.”
Sabourin’s work blends art and skateboarding culture, using both new and upcycled skateboard decks to create art. Her approach, like many at the market, emphasized sustainability and personal expression.
Jade Thompson, an artist from Akwesasne and Cornwall, showcased handmade glass jewelry designed to be both durable and environmentally conscious. “I had a hand in everything… even the packaging,” Thompson said. “I wanted to create something that feels light and whimsical but is made to last.”
Bud’s Records brought its full punk section to the event. Attendees flipped through crates of vinyl, finding classic punk bands like Black Flag, The Cramps, and Minor Threat.
“There’s always a strong interest in punk, especially from people who are really passionate about collecting and discovering music,” said co-owner Emily Restoule.
Restoule shared a memory of store founder Bud O’Byrne, who passed away, recalling the first time she saw him perform with his band Doctor Mom in Ottawa. What began as a night out quickly turned into something unexpected when the group was invited to open for Lydia Lunch. “They were so excited,” she said.
That passion is part of a longer history. Cornwall’s punk scene developed as a grassroots, DIY movement, and it exploded in the late 1990s and early 2000s, supported by the Cornwall Underground and documented through compilation CDs featuring local bands such as Fneh, Push Over, The Knockoffs, Misunderstood?, Stalemate, Freeway, and Punch N’ Judy.
The scene was sustained by promoters and zine creators like Maggie MacDonald, who organized shows at venues like the Art Gallery and amplified alternative voices through zines before later joining Hidden Cameras.
Visiting and emerging acts helped shape the local scene, with Sum 41 playing a Battle of the Bands at La Maison Tavern, Belvedere performing at Murphy’s Inn, Gob appearing twice, and Break the Silence, featuring Rise Against’s original guitarist, playing at Sal’s.
While the scene has shifted over time, many longtime participants see signs of renewal.
“I was so surprised to see something called a punk rock craft fair in Cornwall,” said screen printer Stacey Case. “There’s so many people here, it’s actually a really great event.”
Case, who has been active in punk scenes in both Toronto and Cornwall, said the event reflects a broader resurgence driven by independent organizers and artists. “Things are back on track,” he said. “People are bringing culture back into the city.”
That sense of rebuilding was echoed by Rebecca Sorrell-Forrester, a longtime member of the local scene and volunteer with Diversity Cornwall, who attended alongside Executive Director Angel McCutcheon at the organization’s booth.
“Cornwall is incredibly lucky to have so much local talent,” she said. “But we need people to come out and support it. That’s how you keep a scene alive.”
She added that punk has always extended beyond music, serving as a platform for activism and community-building. “It’s a way to get ideas out there, through lyrics, through art, and create movements,” she said.
Drop Dead Thread founder Stacey Forrester also reflected on the evolution of the scene, recalling a time when local shows were frequent and tightly connected. “It would be nice to see more people get involved again,” he said. “As long as people are participating, that’s what matters.”
The Punk Rock Crafters Market brought together artists, vendors, and community groups, providing a platform for local creators and highlighting Cornwall’s DIY arts scene.
L’article DIY ethos highlighted at Punk Rock Crafters Market est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
