Royal Oak Tribune

Shop the Holiday Market for the perfect gift

Purchases from Anton Art Center’s annual gift shop help to support local artists

- By Gina Joseph gjoseph@medianewsg­roup.com @ginaljosep­h on Twitter

It’s never been easier to buy the perfect gift.

This year’s presentati­on of the Anton Art Center’s Holiday Market will be featured online to allow customers to shop safely from the comfort of their home with convenient shipping or curbside pickup options and for a limited time inperson for those who like to browse.

“We’re really looking forward to launching the Holiday Market online - it is going to mark a significan­t update to how we’ve approached Art Market sales. We are also very excited to start welcoming our community safely back into the Anton Art Center! Though we’ve been offering some limited classes recently, the Holiday Market is our first big chance to invite our community to come back and visit,” said Terri North, Anton Art Center board president.

Anton Art Center staff and volunteers will reopen to the public for special shopping Saturdays, Nov. 21 and 28 and Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s installmen­t of the fan-favorite market features many longtime participat­ing local artists who are known for their artwork and holiday wares along with a few newcomers.

Facemasks and health screenings will be required of in-person shoppers, screenings consisting of a temperatur­e reading at the door and responses to the standard COVID-19 screening questions. Additional Center for Disease and Control protocols are

in place and staff and volunteers will be cleaning high-traffic and touch surfaces before opening each hour the building offers inperson visits and following closure. Attendance restrictio­ns will be in place.

“We are committed to the health and safety of our shoppers, volunteers and staff, and want to ensure a safe and comfortabl­e shopping experience,” said

North.

The Holiday Market operates on consignmen­t so it serves as an important source of sales and income for local artists, with total sales continuing to increase year over year.

At last year’s sale artists earned $45,000.

This year it is particular­ly important for patrons to consider the market as a source of unique

gifts as the pandemic continues to hamper in-person commerce for artisans and small businesses.

“Artists rely on gallery and market sales such as these to earn a living, and our Holiday Market sales event is the single largest opportunit­y we are able to offer local artists each year. Your purchases support artists directly through consignmen­t payments, and indirectly through Anton Art Center exhibit and education programs,” said Phil Gilchrist, executive director of the Anton Art Center.

 ??  ?? Whether it’s Christmas decor or unique gift items the Holiday Market is a great source.
Whether it’s Christmas decor or unique gift items the Holiday Market is a great source.
 ?? COURTESY PHOTOS ?? A work of art featured in this year’s presentati­on of the Anton Art Center’s annual Holiday Market.
COURTESY PHOTOS A work of art featured in this year’s presentati­on of the Anton Art Center’s annual Holiday Market.

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