Local artists are sad to see the Big Pony ride coming to an end

Some emerging artists around Halifax are sad to see Big Pony close because they’ve lost an important hub to showcase their work.

Big Pony is a second-hand store owned by Emily Ross and Lindsay Stewart. They opened in 2012 at 453 Brenton St. and moved to 2168 Gottingen St. in 2015.

They announced earlier this month on Instagram that they were closing Big Pony in April.

Other than racks of thrifty clothes and $5 apiece bin, Big Pony sells prints, pins, flower pots, patches, embroidery hoops and many other crafts on consignment from a dozen local artists.

Whitney Anne, a massage therapist, makes leather jewelry as a side business. She started making earrings when she inherited leather work tools from her grandmother three years ago.

“I found out about Big Pony from a friend of a friend of one of the owners, and decided to show them my work,” says Anne.

Anne sells her earrings at two other locations, but she says she’s going to miss the shop because her collection does the best there.

Jana Wicha, a NSCAD University student, worked briefly with Ross and Stewart. She has sold both embroideries and prints at Big Pony.

“Big Pony is the first place I’ve had any of my work on display for sale,” says Wicha. “Big Pony has come to mean the world to me and I’m certain it does to countless other local artists and makers. The city just won’t be the same without it.”

There are other consignment shops in the North End, like Lost & Found Art Vintage Kitsch or Plan B, but Wicha and Anne say that their crafts fit better with the eclectic and light vibe of Big Pony.

Big Pony’s aesthetic is very specific because Stewart and Ross are picky about what they feature in their shop.

“We pick art that we like, and not to sound lame for using this word, but we pick things we find hip,” says Stewart.

Stewart and Ross decided to close Big Pony because running a business was becoming too hectic and they’re ready for a new adventure.

“A lot of people have been shocked when they heard we were closing, but I can’t be expected to do this forever,” says Stewart.

They do not have any concrete plans, but they want local artists to know that Big Pony will continue doing pop-ups and events that feature emerging artists and their work.

“Basically, we’re going to continue doing the fun part of Big Pony,” says Stewart.