The Traditions Story
Traditions was started in the mid-nineties by Sharon Harras, Carol Serediak and Cheryl Wolfenberg. They were all weavers, with Carol and Cheryl selling their weaving at craft sales. After a number of years they decided they no longer liked the driving and show set-ups, and after some discussion realized they both had the same idea of setting up a shop to sell their weaving and promote other Saskatchewan crafts.
The three of them were tossing around different names and “Traditions Handcraft Gallery” came up. They decided the word reflected the history and skill required in the making of the crafts. The name was appropriate, and the decision was made.
They described running the shop as a joy. They felt that they had the best location and the nicest neighbours, the street was (and still is) like a family. They enjoyed the craftspeople and their customers – many who would come in and comment on the good feeling in the store.
After 15 years in business, Carol and Cheryl decided to retire and the Saskatchewan Craft Council bought Traditions. On January 1st, 2012, husband and wife team Thomas and Marnie Archer purchased Traditions from the Craft Council.
In February of that year they closed for one month to create a new look for the gallery and over the next two years twenty new Saskatchewan artists were added to its shelves. With a growing clientele and social media following Thomas and Marnie continued to work to promote the many fine craft artisans living and working in the province, while providing a relaxed and easy environment to shop local.
July 1st, 2016 saw the transfer of ownership from the Archers to Kathleen and Jeff Coleclough. Friends of the Archers, and artists themselves with Traditions, the Colecloughs were involved with the gallery since 2012 – including building many of the display pieces. Kathleen and Jeff plan to continue in the direction the Archers started, have expanded the artist roster, and look forward to providing quality Saskatchewan-made products for many years to come.
