‘Embracing the weird and strange’: Fredericton’s Esoterica Market

 Chelsea Winters and Shayne Lake at their booth, showing the beauty in weird and strange art at the Esoterica Market. (Credit: Elizabeth Pellerin)

On Oct. 5, Fredericton’s Capital Exhibit Centre hosted the Esoterica Alternative Market – a recurring event dedicated to promoting unconventional arts often overlooked in mainstream communities.

By curating an environment that takes pride in the unfamiliar, the market draws in artists from across the Maritimes who look to share their passions with like-minded individuals.

Since its founding in 2022, Esoterica has been hosted in Fredericton several times a year.

Planned markets include major ones every spring and fall, as well as a smaller one hosted before Christmas.

Esoterica’s founder, Kate Halliday, explained that she began the market to offer alternative and unconventional creators a space where their works could be celebrated.

“Honestly, Esoterica came out of frustration,” said Halliday. “There was nothing in the city that truly felt inclusive for the weird and unusual, so I decided to build the space I wished already existed.”

“I don’t care whether it’ll sell or not, I care about what I want to paint,” said artist Jim Middleton, who’s been selling his artwork at Esoterica for four years. 

“Here, you find a lot of artists that have a similar kind of outlook. They want to make what they want to make and embracing people ... is really what Esoterica, to me, is all about.”

Middleton noted that “people are genuinely interested” in what he and his peers create. 

“You don’t run into a whole lot of people that go ‘oh, that’s weird or strange.’ They kind of know what they’re in for when they come in. They’re embracing the weird and strange and are kind of here for it.”

Vendors at the market included witchcraft practitioners, tarot card readers, divinators, magicians and creators whose work focuses on supernatural, gothic and/or spiritual themes.

When asked about their experiences with clients and fellow vendors, most vendors said they felt welcomed both as artists and individuals coming from diverse backgrounds.

Chelsea Winters, a queer woman who runs the company “Midwinter Mystics” with her partner Shayne Lake, contrasted her and Lake’s experiences at Esoterica with other markets they have visited.

“There’s been a couple of times that we’ve gone to events where you can definitely tell that our stuff makes people uncomfortable,” she said. “Usually, you feel uncomfortable because you don’t understand something, or because it makes you question your own morals and values and people don’t like that.”

“But that’s why the Esoterica markets are such a great spot for us to come to. It’s worth it to be in an environment where you feel safe, comfortable, and respected.”

Vendor Barbara Hughes believes that markets like Esoterica are needed for artists’ mental health. 

“We need a place to express, because creativity is what keeps you mentally sane. You can probably ask any of the artists. I don’t think anybody’s gonna tell you no.”

Halliday stated that the purpose of the market is “to create a space for those who don't fit the ‘norm’ to be able to feel comfortable, seen and celebrated.” 

She said that Esoterica’s vendors and attendees have brought an “amazing energy” to the markets. 

“We’ve watched friendships, collaborations and creative projects come to life because of Esoterica. Seeing those connections form is the best part of it all.”

The next Esoterica market is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre.