Good things come in small packages at the Marion Art Center holiday gift gallery
A suncatcher dangles in the window.
A tree dangling suncatchers and jewlery all made by local artists. Photos by Mari Huglin 
Houses with hearts in them are made of colored glass.
Earrings and necklaces are the stars of this table.
More suncatchers adorn the walls.
All the paintings on the walls at the Marion Art Center are ready to be taken home.
Clay plants and vegtables take center stage.
A cardinal and a baseball painted by a local artist.
One painting features a bell pepper. 
Guests moved throughout the gallery checking on works or art and hand made crafts.
A guest looks for the perfect crafted item.
Paintings of the local area were common.
Families, friends and new faces chatted and looked at the art upstairs.
A suncatcher dangles in the window.
A tree dangling suncatchers and jewlery all made by local artists. Photos by Mari Huglin
Houses with hearts in them are made of colored glass.
Earrings and necklaces are the stars of this table.
More suncatchers adorn the walls.
All the paintings on the walls at the Marion Art Center are ready to be taken home.
Clay plants and vegtables take center stage.
A cardinal and a baseball painted by a local artist.
One painting features a bell pepper.
Guests moved throughout the gallery checking on works or art and hand made crafts.
A guest looks for the perfect crafted item.
Paintings of the local area were common.
Families, friends and new faces chatted and looked at the art upstairs.
MARION — The Marion Art Center hosted a new gallery opening with a twist: Guests can take art right off the wall and bring it straight home after buying it.
Saturday, Nov. 22, the Marion Art Center opened a new exhibit featuring small works of art, under 14 inches, by local artists. The show runs until Friday, Dec. 20.
Marion Art Center Director Jodi Stevens loves the tradition of the show and the talent from all the artists, especially new ones.
“It's amazing the talent that we have,” said Stevens. “Some of the works in the show are just so beautiful and the artists are so talented — and some people are starting out for the first time too.”
Stevens emphasized the show's popularity, with exhibit attendees waiting by the door right as the art center opened in the morning with hopes of buying pieces.
Not only is the art for the shoppers buying holiday gifts, but artists are able to share their works in a gallery setting and build the local artisan community.
“If an artist is just starting out and they are sort of unsure about putting their work out there, it's a great opportunity for them to get a sense of how the community responds to their work,” Stevens said.
Liv Haines Gauthier of Fairhaven has four of her paintings on display at the show. She focuses on landscape oil painting and her favorite part of the day was meeting other artists.
“It gets people together and it gets us a chance to really look at each other's work and talk about it and then that's how we can all grow,” said Gauthier.
This is Gauthier’s first time showing her art in a gallery, having picked up painting quite recently. She was recruited to submit her art by Stevens and was happy to be included.
“I think it's important for local artists to have a community and a place to be able to show their art and talk,” ” said Gauthier.
Gauthier is appreciative of the Marion Art Center featuring new artists, but also diverse types or art that are all high quality.
“There's quality [art] or something that is special about everything in here,” said Gauthier.
Cindy Haines of Fairhaven was a guest at the art show, eager to make an appearance since she looks forward to the event every year and loves art.
“People have to have art on their walls…You need to be surrounded by things that make you feel good,” said Haines.
Haines mentioned that some people may be intimidated coming to an art show like this, but they should not be.
“It's open and everybody is welcoming. People can look at all the works they want to without being forced to purchase anything. Just appreciate it and get to know regional artists,” said Haines.
