Over the last decade, Wild Heart Collective has has the pleasure of meeting, supporting, and collaborating with women that make our communities vibrant.
In honour of International Women’s Day - there are 4 very special women that have impacted so many lives through their resilient hardwork, community-driven initiatives, and energetic spirit who should be in the spotlight.
Colleen- Colleen’s Chocolates
You may already know Colleen from slinging chocolates at various Wild Heart Collective Events - such as the 124 Grand Market, Edmonton Christmas Market, Grand Taste Tour or Holiday Bazaar - but did you know she is also an instructor at the women’s correctional centre?
Colleen has the privilege of teaching women serving time in the correctional system to gain necessary skills for employment once they are released from the institution.
“My goal is to help them practice the soft skills of excellent customer service and start to build a foundation of problem-solving that employers are looking for.”
Supporting women who need a second chance has been Colleen’s motivation to continue her work as an instructor at the correctional centre - especially when she sees the difference that can be made.
“I can’t describe how much I love this work- when I am teaching at the prison I feel like I am making a real difference in these women’s lives. I always learn something new”
So - how do Colleen’s savoury chocolate bars come together with being a correctional instructor? Well, perfectly actually. Colleen isn’t shy to create a connection with everyone she meets. Immersing herself in the local businesses scene and teaching as a instructor has enabled her to grow and foster relationships in diverse communities in Edmonton and the surrounding area.
When Colleen started marking chocolate, she wanted to inform people on the world of chocolates; about the farmers that grow cacao and the issues that are barred in the food industry. Colleen not only teaches customer service skills in the correctional centre, but educates on principals in hospitality, the foundations of cooking, entrepreneurship, and more. Outside of the prison, Colleen works with Indigenous communities on reserves to teach these same principals and stimulate creativity through setting goals, growing businesses and being involved in the community.
You can find Colleen and her chocolate goodness at the 124 Grand Market this season or if you need a chocolate fix before then - make sure you check out her Easter offerings!
Also - check her Easter pop-up at Culina To Go in the Oliver Exchange on April 4th from 11-2pm
IG: @colleenschocolates // TWITTER: @CHChocolates // FB: Colleen’s Chocolates
Archana- Dazzling Designs
If there is one smiling face that never leaves your mind - it would be Archana surrounded by her vibrant hanging dresses and dazzling jewelry and art.
Archana moved to Canada from Malaysia to follow her passion for designing clothes and painting. She started this journey by creating a very colorful line of clothing and hand-painted jewelry for women like her, who are passionate about life, their work, and their dreams - Women who are looking for something different, unique, and something they can connect with.
As a graphic designer, Archana has always had a creative eye. Her passion stems from fabric she sources all over the world, various weaves and different methods of dying different embroidery. As a child, Archana’s passion began with painting and transferred into the world of jewelry and crockery.
“My rich Indian heritage is a constant source of ideas for me to create beautiful clothes for today’s woman - elegant, comfortable and flattering”.
In Dazzling Designs 10th year - Archana reflects on her journey getting here.
“My journey so far has been a very rewarding one and channeling my love to create has taken me to a place of great satisfaction! I have grown, made mistakes, learned and I hope to have as much fun tomorrow as I am today!’
The positivity and kindness that radiates off Archana has a lasting impact that instantly connects and fosters a relationship. You can find Archana and Dazzling Designs at the 124 Grand Market this season, as well as the Downtown Farmers Market and the Butterdome Craft Sale.
IG: @dazzlingdesignsbyarchana // TWITTER: @dazzlingarchana //
Dallas- Dallas LaRose Fine Art
Dallas is vital to the emerging collaborative art culture in the Edmonton area. Through her passion to create vibrant abstract works by a bold paint smear across a canvas, she is also an avid supporter of community initiatives and giving back.
Dallas LaRose is a self-taught, emerging artist in the Edmonton community. She had a late start in her career which only began in 2015, however she grew a blended family of four children with her husband, and held a seven-year career as an electrician.
Since 2016, she has been working full-time as an independent artist, who has dedicated herself to growing her artistic development and is consistently exploring her process.
As an entirely self-funded artist, Dallas has worked hard to break into Edmonton’s art scene through producing many of her own solo exhibitions, community markets and events like Strathearn Art Walk, Whyte Avenue Art Walk, Vignettes and of course - the 124 Grand Market.
In 2017, Dallas volunteered in the classroom teaching youth with our friends over at Trinity Youth Project (TYP). After the classroom sessions, she engaged with youth to build a public free-standing mural with the City of Edmonton’s placemaking pilot project in the downtown core, Experience Jasper Avenue. Dallas mentored youth and paid them to assist her in the creation of a 32 ft mural featuring a bison and natural Alberta landscape.
Stay tuned fo Dallas’s upcoming show in the world’’s largest fine art trade show, New York’s Artexpo.
IG: @dallaslarosefireart // TWITTER: @Dallas_LaRose //
Kirsta- Founder and CVO of Wild Heart Collective
We can’t forget the leading force behind Wild Heart Collective and 124 Grand Market’s creative and collaborative spirit. At 23, Kirsta Franke had a vision to bring together producers, local businesses and community and with that started the 124 Grand Market.
This endeavour changed the career path drastically for this former Journalism student. 9 years later, Kirsta has grown Wild Heart into a full service events and marketing company, and the 124 Grand Market has grown from 18 Vendors to a collective of over 300; and expanded to a second location in 2018.
Alongside her team at Wild Heart, Kirsta has produced and programmed countless events outside of the market scene, most recently, Open Streets, Nuit Blanche Edmonton, The Winter Shake-Up Festival with the City of Edmonton and the inaugural year for All is Bright on 124 Street in 2013.
Kirsta continues to create dynamic community initiates and collaborative public events that bring Edmontonians together. As former Co-chair of the Edmonton Food Council, Kirsta has become an important voice within Edmonton’s developing food scene. Kirsta has also worked with local food businesses Blue Plate Diner, Lactuca Urban Farm and The Organic Box.
Kirsta is also the founding partner of a new company called The Public: a brand new food business incubator opening in the Central McDougall community in 2020. A project that has been in the works since 2016, Kirsta has been working hard to spearhead this new project and see it successfully get off the ground.
The Public will be a platform with the innovative tools, facilities and networks needed to develop products and brands from concept to shelf and house infrastructure for large scale production of value-added goods. It’s part lab, part production facility, part venue and gathering space, and part retail market.
In her spare-time, she enjoys working on her large garden plot out at her family property, playing with her fur baby Ripley, holding babies that aren’t hers at farmers markets and spending well deserved time with family and friends, eating, drinking and soaking up the finer things in life. You’ll most-likely find her about town visiting other farmers markets, events and taking in all of the culture Edmonton has to offer.
IG: @Wildheart_yeg / @124grandmarket // TWITTER: @Wildheart_YEG / @124grandmarket // FB: Wild Heart Collective / 124 Grand Market //
These four women represent immense passion for creating, collaborating, and community. We are beyond grateful to have these woman and all women who continue to make a difference every day. We can’t wait to see the barriers they break next.
