ArtPontiac opened the doors on Nov. 26 for the first of three consecutive weekends where they are hosting A Stone School Christmas Winter Arts & Crafts Market at their main gallery location, The Stone School, in Portage-du-Fort.

Open Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Nov. 26 & 27, Dec. 3 & 4 and Dec. 10 & 11, the gallery is absolutely full of arts and crafts from members of the growing association. It is the first time they’ve done this, and, if opening day numbers are any indication, it will be considered another success in what has already been a year full of successes.

The Stone School Shop, hosted in the heritage building known as The Stone School, was opened . . .

earlier this year and exceeded even the wildest expectations for everyone involved, including current president Cheryl Beillard. Echoing the sentiment is longtime artPontiac member of nearly 34 years, Dale Shutt, “We never dreamed of such success.”

The shop was set up for this Christmas market by members of artPontiac and is now being operated by these same and additional volunteer members. Linda Roy, running the register on opening weekend, delighted in the fact that “we actually had our first sales while we were still setting up and the shop wasn’t even open yet. They saw the door open and came on in.”

Visitors to the shop are commenting on how amazing they find it and are also drawing comparisons to other markets to which they’ve attended locally. “It’s nice to see a market that has such an amazing collection of art and not just crafts” they suggest.

Some of these had actually picked up the widely distributed, and now considered successful, advertising postcards for the event, printed by our very own Pontiac Printshop here at The Equity on behalf of artPontiac.

There are Christmas flavoured items everywhere including wreaths, ornaments and even a tree full of decorations for sale. And, if something Christmas-themed isn’t quite what you’re looking for, there is a vast array of cards, paintings, sculptures, carvings, photographs, weavings, jewelry, ceramics, basketry, scarves, wooden crafts and unnamed other items tucked all around the room. It is a cornucopia of beauty, creativity and talent where only a visit can truly do justice to the bounty.

ArtPontiac is a not-for-profit association established in 2004 to promote arts and culture and to contribute to the cultural life in the Pontiac region through direct action. More information on the association or the Stone School Christmas Winter Arts & Crafts Market can be found on their website at https://artPontiac.com.

ArtPontiac member volunteer Linda Roy welcomes visitors to the shop.

There is a vast array of cards, paintings, sculptures, carvings, photographs, weavings, jewelry, ceramics, basketry, scarves, wooden crafts and unnamed other items tucked all around the room.

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