Artists, artisans hold holiday market at RAC
For those who love gifting art during the holidays, the Regional Arts Center’s Open House & Arts Market on Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1, looks like a can’t-miss event.
Presented by the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council’s Women for the Arts and For Arts’ Sake Gift Shop, the market runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Saturday.
This year, the RAC will be packed with artists and artisans: a total of 50, said Jeanne Harrel, who’s managed this annual event in recent years. That’s up from 38 last year. This marks the market’s tenth year, having started with seven or eight artisans on year one.
“We’re going to be on the third floor, the second floor, the first floor and the basement,” Harrel said, noting that because it’s an open house visitors will also enjoy refreshments and live music.
Vendors with unique items for purchase include potters, artists, woodturners, leather goods makers, ornament makers and bakers. Visitors can find everything from handmade scarves to jewelry. Woodturners, said Harrel, will feature everything from rolling pins and toys to inlaid wooden bowls. There’s even someone who makes clothing for American Girl dolls.
“I also, for the very first time, have a glass blower, and he’s bringing hand-blown glass ornaments,” Harrel said. Many of the artists and artisans are repeats, but a dozen new ones are joining the market this year.
“We’re very excited about that,” Harrel said.
In addition to the art, visitors have live music to hear throughout with performers like Mark Thomas (opera), Vicki Carr, Suzy Tyler, Phoebe Warren, Caitlyn Alysse, Donna Jo Carter, Bonnie Montgomery, Lillian Bobbitt and Debbie Gilliam.
Not only are there gifts just right for the winter holidays now upon us, but new this year will be gift-wrapping by Dr. Becky Black, visual arts and community programs coordinator for TRAHC. Proceeds will go toward TRAHC programming. She said her wrappers will also be happy to wrap non-arts market items. Prices depend upon size.
Why has the arts market and open house succeeded and grown over the years?
For one thing, said Harrel, word of mouth from the people who visit this event each year has helped. Plus, the city has been receptive to having this sort of art available. Some of it is crafts, but it’s of a very high quality, Harrel said. Also, it’s not mass produced and everyone can meet the artist right there at the market.
“I think that it’s because we have such unique items,” Harrel said about its success.
(Admission is free to the market. Call TRAHC at 903792-8681 for more information. Also, for anyone who needs the elevator lift, call that number for assistance.)