By TOM LAVIS
TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM
Christmas comes early at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County.
The center is finalizing plans for its 39th rendition of the always-popular Holly Bazaar.
The bazaar offers one-stop shopping for people eager to find handcrafted decorations and gifts for the season.
The Holly Bazaar and fifth Festival of the Snowmen, which is held in conjunction with the bazaar, will fill every gallery of the Goldhaber-Fend Fine Arts Center.
Both events will begin Saturday at the arts center, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont. The Festival of the Snowmen will be on display through Dec. 20. The Holly Bazaar will be open through Dec. 24.
Volunteers are busy applying the finishing touches and gearing up for the center’s holiday fundraiser.
The bazaar offers handcrafted items from area artisans, and it has an enviable reputation of featuring one-of-a-kind holiday items.
About 85 juried craftsmen, whose merchandise will be displayed, will offer wreaths, holiday decorations, handcrafted gifts, jewelry, pottery, Santas, angels, knitted and quilted handbags and holiday candy.
Rose Mary Hagadus, arts center executive director, is pleased with what artisans are offering.
“The crafters have come up with creative new designs that reflect every aspect of the celebration,” Hagadus said. “In our wreath collection, people will notice that the rings are an average size, not the oversized versions that have been popular in the past.”
Most of the wreaths have the traditional pine branches as their bases.
The artists have incorporated everything from colorful bows and berries to angels and Santa figures in a multitude of themes to make each wreath matchless.
The arts center’s main gallery is overflowing with ornaments, trinkets, hand-painted signs, Christmas cards, jewelry and fabric art.
“New for this year will be a selection of baby accessories such as bibs,” Hagadus said.
The collection also features oversized candles in an assortment of colors encircled by pine boughs to create festive centerpieces.
Barbara Sacerino of Croyle Township, a retired home economics teacher who designs and produces wearable art, purses and handbags, will be a first-time exhibitor.
“I’ll be bringing a lot fabric purses and handbags and knitted and crocheted shawls,” she said. “I love color and using different types of yarn.”
The snowmen festival will feature 10 originally designed figures dressed in a variety of outfits.
Instead of placing a price on each snowman, the arts center has set a minimum price, and each creation will be sold by silent auction.
Snowmen are decorated in various themes, including a snow angel adorned with a halo of Christmas berries, a cowboy whose lasso is made of sparkling stars, and a portly chef.
“All of the snowmen are three-dimensional,” Hagadus said.
“This year we have an entry from the art students at Hiram G. Andrews Center, who created a snowman titled ‘New Life,’ in cerebration of breast cancer awareness,” Hagadus said.
The second floor also will be the site of the center’s basket party.
The center’s members and supporting businesses have created baskets that would make cherished gifts.
A popular segment of the bazaar continues to be its book-sale bonanza.
Shoppers can save from 20 percent to 80 percent on new books, which make wonderful gifts.
“For the first time, we will be offering used books as well,” Hagadus said.
The arts center also is taking orders at 255-6515 for its frozen homemade apple dumplings and gobs, which are priced at $2 and $1, respectively.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Holiday happening
What: Holly Bazaar and Festival of the Snowmen.
Where: Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.
When: Both events begin Saturday.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Admission: Free.
Information: 255-6515.
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Dave Lloyd
Discussion
Creative decorations abound at yule bazaar
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