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Courtesy
Hecho a Mano Holiday Fesitval at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
This holiday season, support San Antonio artists and entrepreneurs by shopping local. A host of holiday markets are being put on this December, each with its own cause such as community building within neighborhoods, supporting artists, women or LGBTQ/allies. Buying from local vendors and artisans stimulates creative, connected communities. In local market you encounter distinctive shopping experiences, a great diversity of products and personalized service, all while supporting your San Antonio economy. This month, don't scoure the internet or stand in eternal lines at chain stores, check out these festive holiday shopping experiences instead.
OPEN: Downtown Pop-Up Shops
Holiday shopping begins at OPEN, a rare pop-up market. Storefronts rotate on Houston Street, offering art, wine, jewelry, pet accessories, clothing, food and more. The pop-up shops' initiative is stimulating retail business downtown with small businesses and entrepreneurs. The eclectic collection of vendors sets up shop every Tuesday and Saturday this month. One such vendor is the AME Pop Up Art Gallery, a “collaborative art studio and gallery” located at The Milam Building. AME art on display includes unique mixed media pieces. Another OPEN vendor is CANVAS local art, a self-named "wine gallery and art bar". It is located in the historic Book Building. CANVAS's artist showcase features creative pieces, including Humans of San Antonio. Coffee and juice is provided by Revolucion Room and wine tastings via Vinously Speaking.
Free, 12pm-9pm, Tuesday and Saturday, The Book Building, 140 E. Houston; The Milam Building, 115 E. Travis; The Schaum Building, 231 E. Houston, (210) 207-4080, Facebook event page
Mockingbird Holiday Market
The lofty Brick Marketplace in Blue Star Arts Complex will play host to the Mockingbird Holiday Market. Handcrafted finds include ceramics, prints, recycled art, upcycled antique textiles, mixed media, metals and more. The Blue Star market is constructed for independent artists to collectively showcase their original pieces for the shopping season.
Free, 6pm-10pm, Fri December 5 & Sat December 6, Brick Marketplace at Blue Star Arts, 108 Blue Star, (210) 262-8653, Facebook event page
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Stephen Guzman
Cesar Chavez notebooks from last year's Hecho a Mano Holiday Festival
Hecho a Mano
Hecho a Mano returns to the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center with a three day festival. Friday attendees celebrate the beginning of festivities with a ribbon-cutting reception with honorary chair Arturo Infante Almeida, Curator of the UTSA Art Collection. Meet local artists and shop fine art and handmade designs. Entry on opening night costs $10 and includes food, drinks and door prizes. Entry on Saturday and Sunday is only $2 or 2 canned food items to benefit the Inner City Development Food Bank.
$2-$10, 6pm-9pm, Fri December 5, 10am-8pm, Sat December 6, 11am-6pm, Sun December 7, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 723 S. Brazos, (210) 271-3151, guadalupeculturalarts.org
San Antonio Art Museum Holiday Bazaar & Texas Clay Festival
SAMA’s Holiday Bazaar and Texas Clay Festival are coinciding efforts for a River of Lights Holiday Shopping and Celebration event. In the Museum’s West Courtyard, shop jewelry, folk art, fabrics and the goods of over 30 Texas potters. Entertainment also include demonstrations, art activities, live music, food trucks and gallery tours at 11:30 am and 1 pm. The Museum Reach will light up at 6 pm and shine for a procession of music barges, carrying the sounds of the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio, Trinity University Jazz Ensemble and Mariachis, among others.
Free, Holiday Bazaar 10am-5pm, Clay Festival 10am-5pm, Sat December 6, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave, (210) 978-8100, samuseum.org
PSG Christmas Art Show
Parchman Stremmel Gallery hosts a reception for their December group collection featuring unique artwork by Elizabeth Walker-Carrington, Claudio Aguillon, Brenda Kingery, Laddie John Dill, Thomas Glassford, Joe Harjo, Gary Sweeney, Joan Frederick, William Carrington, Paige Holland and Penelope Spier with special holiday pricing.
12pm-3pm, Sat December 6 & Sat December 20, Parchman Stremmel Gallery, 7726 Broadway, (210) 824-8990, psgart.com
