Annual Christmas market in Alton encourages “Artful Giving”

November 10, 2022 · 0 Comments

By Zachary Roman

Local artists are once again challenging themselves to create unique holiday gifts for the annual Artful Giving Artisan Gift and Fine Art Sale.

The sale is being held in the Headwaters Arts Gallery at the Alton Mill Arts Centre and began on November 9.

An official opening reception for the sale will be held on November 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. and the artists themselves will be on hand to discuss their work.

There’s a vast number of different mediums the over 20 artists who will be at the sale work in, and sale attendees will be able to find the following and more: handcrafted jewelry; wood-turned bowls; reclaimed wood wallets and purses; blown glass; hand-built and glazed clay; fibre bowls; textiles; woodcut prints; watercolour, acrylic and oil paintings; hand-painted Christmas ornaments; one-of-a-kind handmade cards; sculptures in carved wood; wood epoxy inlaid, forged copper pendants on leather; copper flowers with patina; and iron keychains.

Susan Powell, chair of Headwaters Arts’ marketing and communications committee, explained the sale has gifts available at a variety of different price points.

She said there’s everything from Christmas cards to stocking stuffers to big gifts.

“There’s so many quality, cool, one-of-a-kind items,” said Powell. “What I like best about this is that it really excites artists. It challenges them to make something that’s very unique and creative.”

Powell said the sale encourages artists to take their respective mediums to the next level, and that it’s fun to shop at the sale because it’s essentially an art gallery, too.

“There’s so much to look at,” said Powell. “It’s really kind of fun, it’s a great shopping experience. Let’s face it, it’s really cool.”

The Artful Giving Sale runs until January 8, 2023 and the Headwaters Arts Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and holiday Mondays.