Arts markets open Dec. 4 in Whatcom County

Winter art markets in Whatcom County are an alternative to retail outlets for gift-giving (or presents for yourself), and several markets are opening this weekend.

Here’s a look at three of them.

This is the third year that Blaine Harbor Art Gallery has sponsored the Holiday Art and Gift Market, says organizer Helen Worley.

“Through the generosity of Ken Imus, we once again will be in the former Goff’s store at 674 Peace Portal Drive,” she says.

Held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, the market is part of the Holiday Harbor Lights Festival in Blaine.

The market is across the street from H Street Plaza, where the community Christmas tree will be lighted at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Santa Claus will arrive around 5 p.m.

Worley says Blaine Harbor Art Gallery, which has 47 members, provides opportunities for marketing works of art and for developing Blaine as a community of artistic excellence.

“We are an online gallery and sponsor two major membership shows in Blaine,” she says, “the Springfest Art and Studio Tour in May, and this Holiday Art and Gift Market each December.”

“We are a volunteer group and our board members do the organizing, publicity, distribution of fliers, decoration, overseeing the setup and cleanup,” she says. “Our members work in a variety of media: fine art, photography, fine woodworking, fabric art, fused glass, jewelry, mixed media, home décor and sculpture. The majority are from Whatcom County, with a few from Skagit County.”

For the holiday market, members were invited to participate, and within a short time they reached the capacity for the venue. Sixteen artists and artisans will be exhibiting.

The market will be enlivened by music by The Polka Dots, under the leadership of Allie Ryser. The Blaine group “brings a sparkle to any event where they are present,” Worley says, and will be appearing at various times over the two days.

Stephanie Cash is one of the organizers of the 19th annual Pacific Arts Market, which is returning to the same location as last year in Sunset Square, between Jo-Ann Fabric and El Gitano Mexican Restaurant. The market runs the first three weekends in December, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday each weekend, December 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20.

More than 30 artists and crafters are participating, offering jewelry, pottery, woodwork, textiles, fiber art, bath and body products, book and paper art, leather, 3-D art, clothing, accessories, holiday ornaments, paintings, photography and specialty foods. Pacific Arts Market is a cooperative owned and operated by the artists.

“What makes Pacific Arts unique is that it has a cozy community feel,” says Cash, whose shop, Polished Moon, will have her jewelry for sale.

“Shoppers can purchase a unique piece and they will know that their purchase is completely supporting local artists,” she says.

The market became a vendor cooperative in May 2013. As a cooperative group, members work to provide a quality opportunity to sell their wares.

“Together, we handle the logistics of securing a venue and preparing the facility to welcome the public to our show,” Cash says. “When the show is over, we come together to make sure the venue is in as good as or better condition when we used it.”

“We form committees willing to take on jobs they are either good at, or at least willing to learn how to do. All vendors who are part of the market are expected to volunteer some form of service work toward putting on the event,” she says.

Vendors are mostly from Whatcom and Skagit counties, but some are from Port Townsend, Burien and Camano Island. Volunteer musicians will perform during the market.

Jessica Miller is organizing the fifth annual Make.Sale, which opens during the monthly Downtown Art Walk from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and continues from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at 306 Flora St.

Miller says the vendors will offer a large variety of crafts, from the re-claimed glass of Tumbler Mountain Glass Project to the unique designs of Localmotive Jewelry Creations. Other vendors include Remedios The Beauty Clothing, Cat Sieh, Osteal jewelry, Sea Holly Beauty Company, Feral Felt, Cordial Waters, Rinyrinri polymer clay creations, and Vil’s Herbarium.

The nearby Black Drop Coffeehouse will sell coffee, hot tea and cider, and hot winter cocktails at the event.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Arts markets open Dec. 4 in Whatcom County."