Good things come in small packages at MAC holiday shop
Dec 3, 2022
Handmade ceramics by Ryder Gordon, on sale at the MAC Small Things + Holiday Shop. Photos by: Gillian English
Ceramics by Corinn Jusell
The most expensive item at the show, priced at $950, the Book of Wonders, a handmade carved and painted interpretation of a 1917 reference book of the same name. Carved by John Magnan, painted by Robert Duff.
Earrings by Earthsea Glass, made by Lynn Hahn of Mattapoisett.
MARION – Tri-town residents have the opportunity to bring their holiday shopping to the next level with the last few weeks of the Marion Art Center’s Small Things Holiday Shop exhibition.
The show, which opened Nov. 11 and ends on Dec. 16, displays a variety of work – all under 16 inches and all for sale.
The exhibit is traditional at the MAC, and has evolved over the years, previously having a pop-up day that transitioned to what it is now, an elevated holiday shop that allows patrons to browse the works and carry out the ones that they like.
“It’s nice, because instead of just having a craft fair or holiday shop, we sell them through the front desk and the works can stay up for display longer,” said the MAC’s executive director, Jodi Stevens.
The show itself is juried, so the Marion Art Center’s exhibition committee approves all the work for a curated variety of items including paintings, pottery, cutting boards, knitwear and jewelry.
In contrast with the center’s Arts in the Park event during the summer, where vendors from around the South Coast come to sell their wares in Marion, Stevens said that it gives the MAC the chance to showcase some newer artists that might not have as much product to stock a full booth.
While artists in the exhibit span as far as Rhode Island, there are many artists from the Tri-town showing their works, such as Alanna Nelson, a member of Marion’s Planning Board who creates fiber art, Patty White, a Marion painter, JoAnne Bierkant, a Marion resident with a display full of knitwear, and Earthsea Glass in Mattapoisett.
Stevens says that patrons who come to see the show have been “blown away” by the variety and quality of the work, which she says sets the MAC apart from other craft shows.
“Everything here is high quality but reasonably priced,” she said. “Everybody could probably find something for somebody on their list.”
The show has seen a lot of traffic, according to Stevens, and everything that they have left is currently on display.
Those interested in stopping by to browse or to shop can visit the MAC at 80 Pleasant St. during the gallery hours, which are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visitors are also welcome during office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as long as they call ahead to 508-748-1266.
