Black Mountain Center for the Arts celebrate the 'HollyDay'
Artisan market features local art and festive decorations through December
Jessica Klarp
The Valley Echo
November 20, 2020
The Black Mountain Center for the Art will celebrate the season with a HollyDay Artisan Market that runs through the month of December. Photo courtesy of BMCA
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts will welcome the community as it celebrates the season with its HollyDay Artisan Market, which includes local art and festive decorations throughout December, a Ceramic Arts Student Show and Pottery Market and an outside dance performance.
In addition to gift certificates for classes and workshops, the Arts Center’s expanded gift shop is brimming with a wide variety of items available for sale to the public either in person or on its website. The tree in the Arts Center’s lobby is covered with ornaments created by local artists, and everything from jewelry and note cards to terrariums and decorative tiles created by local artists are on hand.
In a modified Holly Jolly celebration, on Friday, Dec. 4, BMCA will open its building from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to a limited number of walk-in guests who are masked and who maintain safe distances for its Ceramic Arts Student Show in the Upper Gallery and Pottery Market with works created by participants in the BMCA Clay Studio.
The Clay Studio is housed in the old town garage nestled between the back of the main Arts Center structure and Dougherty St. Renovations for the studio were completed in 2008 and since 2011 the facility has been managed by the multi-talented Charles Freeland who also teaches and mentors students. Original instructor and Clay Studio founder Geoff Bird offers his expertise to students on Thursdays and Mathilda Tanner leads the Monday night class.
These three talented potters will have their work on display along with the very best work of their students and independent study participants. Expect to see at least 30 pieces in the beautiful Upper Gallery. Some of these potters have a lifetime of experience but continue to view themselves as students.
“Our annual ceramic show fills the gallery with exceptional work,” Freeland said. “It is always a great display of technique, skill and creative exploration.”
The Ceramic Arts Student Show is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday through Jan. 5 with a sizable break for the holiday in between. The Arts Center will be closed from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3.
“It’s hard to know in a time of pandemic which way to go with traditional art shows and markets,” said Freeland, expressing the frustration of many artists whose ability to show work has been limited and BMCA’s concerns about adhering to gathering limits and safety recommendations. In years past, the Upper Gallery would be crowded with guests through the evening, and for the Pottery Market a dozen or more potters would sell their wares from tables in the dance studio, shoulder to shoulder with guests eager to purchase high-quality ceramics.
“Our modified market will host the work of 10-12 artists with their work spread around the BMCA building,” said Freeland. BMCA staff and volunteers will facilitate sales of a vast selection of plates, bowls, cups, mugs, vases, jewelry, ornaments, salt and pepper shakers and wall decorations that make perfect gifts.
And, for those who will miss the sea of BMCA’s adorable and talented red-shirted dancers in the holiday parade, Amy Maze has organized an alternative “Dancer and Dasher” performance of her Dance Troupe on Dec. 4 in the public parking lot on Terry Estates Drive. Performances will be at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and limited to ten cars or 50 people.
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is located at 225 West State Street. For more information please visit blackmountainarts.org or call 828-669-0930.