This isn’t Fredericton’s typical craft market — it’s odder. From chain mail jewelry to taxidermy, to horror art, the Esoterica market gave alternative creators a space for their “weird and wonderful” creations.
Partnered with Freddy Fright Fest for the first time, the most recent Esoterica was held on Oct. 27 at the Capital Exhibit Centre. The market, originally titled Hallowhenever in its July 2022 conception, has been running as Esoterica since 2023.
The market was created by co-organizer Kate Halliday. The name stemmed from the word “esoteric,” inspired by her love of occultism and tarot.
“I’ve been in other markets and every one out of ten people like the weird stuff I make. So I wanted to create an environment where everyone is going for the kind of stuff that’s there, instead of the rare person who likes weird things,” said Halliday.
Co-organizer Nocturnal Bloom, a local business, joined Halliday’s team as the market grew bigger. Both organizers are passionate about giving a space to vendors that are outside of the mainstream.
“Instead of the rare person who likes weird things. It’s all the weird people,” said Halliday
While previous editions of the market raised money for Fredericton Community Kitchens, the most recent one held a raffle that raised $485 for Fredericton Hospice. Halliday felt it was important to give back to the hospice after the care they provided her mother, preceding her passing.
Along with giving back, Esoterica also aims to cultivate a comfortable, accepting environment for alternative artists.
Taylor Starr, owner of The Moody Morrigan, dabbles in various art forms ranging from book nooks with elements of horror and Wicca, to bright, whimsical paintings. Having been a longtime friend of Halliday’s, she has been involved with Esoterica from the start and can attest to its community.
“The guests that tend to come to Esoterica are the more alternative crowd and so they’re very interested in the type of art that I and the other vendors make,” she said. “Everybody’s always super friendly, super accepting.”
Emma McCarthy has been selling furs, jewelry, self-proclaimed “weird” art and taxidermy from her small Etsy business, Sabelle’s Mom, for three years.
Having been involved with the market since day one, McCarthy said she loves having Esoterica as a place to showcase her art.
“[Esoterica] is always amazing … Kate [does] such an amazing job at making sure that everything is stress-free and it’s well organized. We always have great locations and then they bring in other great people.”
Due to the additional advertising and expanded location of the Capital Exhibit Centre, the most recent edition of the market was able to host 65 vendors, a staggering increase from their average of 25.
“It’s awesome to see the growth of it,” said Halliday.
With the success of this Halloween’s Esoterica Market, hopes are high for upcoming editions of the event coming in December and April, where spooky creations and alternative creators will come together once again.
“I think it’s very important to give people the platform to meet all these local people who are actually there for the things they make,” said Halliday.
