Artists’ Showcase
Arts Market continues today at downtown Arts Center
TEXARKANA, Texas — From a venture that started 12 years ago with five local artists displaying their wares to a two-day venture with artists filling the three floors of the Regional Arts Center in downtown Texarkana, Texas, this year’s Open House & Arts Market continues to defy expectations, providing evidence of a thriving art scene in the face of a lingering pandemic.
“This show, above all, is getting our local artists exposure,” said Jeanne Harvel, the showrunner of this Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council event, on Friday. “This gives our local talent, both artists and artisans, a chance to show off what they do to the public. They get to be seen and to make contacts.”
Chris Thomas said he was a novice in pottery when he began showing his wares here 10 years ago.
“From that experience and from encouragement from TRAHC, I now have a small business with customers in Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston and Little Rock,” Thomas said. The encouragement I got from doing these shows and the contacts I made gave me the push I needed to build this enterprise.”
He said TRAHC and its affiliate, Women for the Arts, have played big roles in getting him and other artists in the community started.
For many who came through the market on Friday, it was a chance to do their Christmas shopping.
“This is my primary Christmas shopping time,” said Laney Bassham. “I knock out most of my shopping right here and have it just done, no need to worry anymore. Doing this, I support local arts and my family gets treasures found nowhere else.”
Each year, new vendors come in and collaborate, encourage each other, helping the Arts Market become a destination for finding unique gifts.
“Last year was our highest attendance,” Harvel said. “Over 40 artists on all three floors and down in our basement. This year, because of COVID and social distancing, not quite as many, but over 30 artists still make for quite a gallery and the customers are coming. Folks are telling us ‘ thank you for doing this.’”
Art, ceramics, carved items, handmade soaps, sewn and leather goods, baked items and more are among the pieces that can be found at the market.
“This gives our local talent, both artists and artisans, a chance to show off what they do to the public.” — Jeanne Harvel, the event’s showrunner
(Open House & Arts Market continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Regional Arts Center is located at 321 W. 4th St. in Texarkana, Texas. For more information, call 903-792-8681.)