The Walk In Art Center is all decorated and ready for its annual Holiday Artisan Market on Dec. 4. There are more than 40 vendors in the Main Gallery ready to share their holiday gift ideas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“This place is just so beautiful for this type of market,” says Jacquie Engel, executive director at the Schuylkill Haven center. . “There will be lots of shopping from the vendors, but also from the artists at the Walk In. Best of all, it’s inside where it’s warm.”
The day will have live music provided by the Schuylgurlz, a new all-female a cappella group, boilo samplings and maybe even a visit by the Big Guy himself. Complimentary snacks, coffee, and cocoa will be available all day. The day will end with a ticket auction of items donated by each vendor.
The WIAC will also wrap up its “Festival of Trees” that day. Eight community groups have decorated trees and are asking members of the public to vote for their favorite tree. Each vote is $1, and the money benefits the organization. Some of the groups include the Schuylkill Haven Elementary Center PBIS, Schuylkill County Frontier Girls and Quest Club, the Jefferson Grange #1384, and Schuylkill County VISION. Other trees benefit the programs at the Walk In Art Center.
“The group with the most votes will get a $200 prize,” said Heather Butler, WIAC educational coordinator, “and if their tree gets silent auction bids, they get all of that money as well. The Walk In Arts Center likes to provide opportunities that benefit other non-profit and civic groups in the area.”
The WIAC is going to be announcing their new venture soon, and Holiday Market shoppers will get a preview of the exciting news.
“Our area has suffered a huge loss with the closing of the Arts Barn Gallery,” says Engel. “If people wanted to buy unique, locally-made gifts and art, the Arts Barn was the place to go. With the endorsement of The Arts Barn’s founder, Deb Cooper, the WIAC will be taking a big step into the retail gift world and hopes to attract local artists to consign their items here.”
The Holiday Market will kick off the start of the new Art Shoppe at the Walk In Art Center, and the WIAC expects to see growth of permanent vendors over the next year.
“By next year’s Holiday Market, the Art Shoppe will be fully up and running and will be the go-to place for local art in the area,” Engel said. “The artists at the WIAC, Board of Directors, and I are so excited to begin this journey.”
Find a complete list of vendors for the Dec. 4 market and other Walk In Art Center guilds, events, art classes, vendor opportunities, and family events by visiting facebook.com/walkinartcenter.
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment