HARRISBURG – The seventh annual juried HACC Artisan Marketplace of Perry County is open through Dec. 23 at the Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA), 1 South Second St., Newport.
Distinctive, finely crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces from more than 50 of Central Pennsylvania’s up and coming artisans will be on display and for sale throughout the season at the marketplace.
Walking sticks, Strohsterne (traditional German wheat-woven star ornaments), jewelry, acrylic and oil paintings, photography, stationery, stained glass, ceramics/sculpture, polymer clay, fabric, textile, wood working, felted purses, fishing equipment, mosaic planters and fiber art are some of the handcrafted items available this year.
HACC Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, Fulton Bank Small Business Center and the Robert H. & Beverley Utley Fowler Foundation are partnering with the PCCA to bring the marketplace to the Newport area.
In addition to the two-month marketplace, HACC works with the artists and craftspeople during the year with orientation meetings, free consultation and a series of business development workshops to help them acquire the additional skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs.
“The development of these artists is impressive,” said Dave McNaughton, a business consultant for HACC Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies. “The quality of work just gets better and better. The artists have a good business sense and recognize what is selling and focus more on the items that are moving.”
“We at the HACC Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies thank the Fowler Foundation for their financial support for the Artisan Marketplace of Perry County,” said Fran Verotsky, institute director. “Their contribution will enable us to better serve the artists and portray their talents. We are very proud of this joint venture among the HACC IES, the Perry County Council of the Arts, and the Fowler Foundation. It is our pleasure to present the array of artistic abilities our participants display and to provide them entrepreneurial counsel via the HACC Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and the Fulton Bank Small Business Center at HACC.”
Jasmine Colbert, gallery manager for the arts council, says the collaboration with the college benefits all. “The artists work hard to prepare with the support from HACC and the PCCA,” Colbert said. “For shoppers, there’s a wide range of very unique products at varying price points for all kinds of gift giving within a budget.”
Marketplace hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; with extended hours to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays in December with the last day on Dec. 23. The marketplace is closed on Thanksgiving.
For more information, call the HACC Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at 1-800-ABC-HACC, ext. 1311; Perry County Council of the Arts at 717-567-7023; or go to www.hacc.edu or www.perrycountyarts.org.
Fast Facts:
- Seventh annual Artisan Marketplace of Perry County is located at the Gallery of the Perry County Council of the Arts, 1 S. Second St., Newport. 717-567-7023
- Meet the Artists from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.
- Marketplace hours in November are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Nov. 30. Closed on Thanksgiving.
- Extended hours in December are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. The last day for the marketplace is Thursday, Dec. 23.
- More information: 1-800-ABC-HACC, ext 1311
