Arts
Setting a creative spark alight with CAN Market
Creative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit is needed now more than ever, yet sometimes the difference between success and stagnation in the Sri Lankan market is opportunity.
On August 28, Creative Isle, in collaboration with the Colombo City Centre, launched the Ceylon Artisan Network (CAN) a weekly three-day Market at the Colombo City Centre (CCC) Atrium.
To support budding Sri Lankan micro entrepreneurs, the CAN Market functions as a platform where they can showcase their export quality products at wholesale rates and network with bulk buyers to foster new trade partnerships.
Seventy vendors who have created unique sustainable and community-driven businesses from across the island gathered at the launch. Visitors had a range of products to choose from including home and lifestyle products, fashion accessories, artisan food products, herbal teas, Ayurveda cosmetics, soaps and fragrances amongst many more.
A panel discussion saw Creative Isle Founder Keshini Ann Suraweera, Chairman of TV Derana and Joint Managing Director of Triad Sri Lanka, Dilith Jayaweera, Head of Corporate Communication and CSR at Abans PLC Saumya Perera, Director of the National Enterprise Development Authority Lakshman Wijeyawardena, Honorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka and former Group Director of MAS Holdings Ltd Dian Gomes and Chief Guest, cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan, giving insights on the initiative.
“This idea was birthed under the COVID-19 lockdown. It was a time where creative entrepreneurs were regretting having chosen creative careers but on the flipside, there were some others who lost their jobs and then started pursuing creative careers to make a living,” said Keshini Ann Suraweera.
Home-grown: Discovering new talent at CCC. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
Vendors included professionals: journalists, writers, software engineers and more wh have gone on to balance their regular occupations with the development of a homegrown creative career of their own.
Muttiah Muralitharan echoed Keshini’s sentiments. “There are many talented entrepreneurs in our country but they lack opportunity, the Foundation of Goodness is all about empowering such individuals.”
The CAN Market has received support from partners such as the CCC, the Foundation of Goodness, National Enterprise Development Authority and the UNDP in a collective effort to uplift Sri Lanka and support SMEs and entrepreneurs most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Scope Cinemas are Cinema Partners and Antyra Solutions Social Media Partners.
“As the country comes out of the COVID pandemic there’s a real need to drive entrepreneurship,” said Saumya Perera. “We are opening our doors to the Colombo community, for all the aspiring micro entrepreneurs from across the country to really get a chance to tap into the thriving Colombo shopping market, and in turn, what do our shoppers get? They really get the doors to the entire country- it’s like a travel portal to them.”
“It only takes a spark to get a fire going. Creativity is contagious. Let’s spread that together,” Keshini concluded.
The CAN market is on at the CCC Atrium every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 a.m to 9 p.m.