The multitude of local artist markets concentrated into the month of December each year is a true testament to the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of Athens. With 30 events to check out, original and handcrafted work is more accessible and affordable than ever. In the spirit of traditions, let Flagpole make shopping locally a little simpler this year with our annual "Holiday Market Roundup," a list of artist markets, studio open houses and craft sales going on in Athens and nearby. Check out our list below.

Art Markets and Open Houses in Athens 

Deck the Walls, a holiday-themed market held annually by the Lyndon House Arts Center, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m.–5 p.m. until Jan. 4. The Gallery Shop and Lower Atrium Gallery are full of seasonal items like handmade ornaments, cards and wreaths, as well as gifts like quilts, scarves, texting mittens, gourds and jewelry made by over 90 regional artists. New additions this year include folk art crafted from reclaimed wood and metal, pressed botanicals and crocheted tablecloths and doilies. For more details on the Lyndon House, located at 293 Hoyt St., visit athensclarkecounty.com/lyndonhouse.

The UGA Ceramic Student Organization hosts a sale of new works on Tuesday, Dec. 3 & Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. in the lobby of the Lamar Dodd School of Art, located at 270 River Rd. The works, which were created by both undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members, range from functional pottery like teapots, mugs and bowls to hand-built sculptures and decorative pieces. Proceeds go towards funding a recent educational field trip to South Korea. Parking is available in the nearby Performing Arts Center deck. For more information, email [email protected].

The Holiday Sale at Normaltown Pottery, slated for Friday, Dec. 6 from 6 p.m.–9 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., will feature handmade, functional pottery by studio owner Juana Gnecco and by Carter Gillies and Nancy Green as well as paintings by Chatham Murray and pillows by Ann Sears. Normaltown Pottery is located at 410 King Ave. For more information, visit normaltownpottery.com.

In addition to the abundance of local and sustainable produce that the Athens Farmers Market regularly offers every Saturday morning at Bishop Park, located at 705 Sunset Dr., from 9 a.m.–12 p.m., its special Holiday Craft Markets on Dec. 7, 14 & 21 feature a good selection of handmade items including ceramics, stationary, jewelry, soaps, candles, lotions, knitted hats and scarves, metal art and more. For details, check out athensfarmersmarket.net.

Maria Dondero

Take a tour of Marmalade Pottery, the home studio of Maria Dondero at 775 Pulaski St., during her fifth annual Holiday Sale on Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday Dec. 8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Maria’s father, Tim Dondero of Donderos’ Kitchen, has created several food dishes to be sampled out of the pottery platters that inspired them. To view examples of Maria’s most current work, visit mariadondero.com.

Local potter Carter Gillies offers two different events this season. View an eclectic mix of functional and decorative pots, new ornaments and half-off kids' pots during the Carter Gillies Pottery Open House on Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8. The following weekend on Saturday, Dec. 14 & Sunday, Dec. 15, Carter will be joined by fellow potters Geoff Pickett and Jeff Bishoff for the annual Carter and Friends Pottery Market. Both events are from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and are located at 572 Nantahala Ave. in the Boulevard neighborhood. Call 706-546-7235 or email [email protected] for details.

Native America Gallery, located at 195 E. Clayton St., hosts its 16th annual Snowsational Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–7 p.m., with a storewide jewelry sale and “snowtacular” door prizes for the first 100 guests who visit. Snacks and drinks will be available, as will a pair of earrings as a "thank you" gift, complimentary with each purchase. Call 706-543-8425 for more information.

In addition to an abundance of locally sourced produce, honey, eggs, soaps and prepared food items, the vendors of The West Broad Farmers Market will offer special crafts and gifts during a Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The market, which is hosted at the old West Broad School located at 1573 W. Broad St., aims to develop new food-based entrepreneurs, build a neighborhood-based economy and increase access to healthy, affordable foods. For more information on the market's goals, visit athenslandtrust.org.

The 40 Watt Club, located at 285 W. Washington St., will host an indoor holiday yard sale on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Items will include clothing, furniture, records, artwork, baked goods and more. Look up 40 Watt Yard Sale on Facebook for details.

Terrariums by Serra Ferguson at Indie South Fair's Holiday Hooray.

Going far beyond the typical artist market, Indie South Fair's Holiday Hooray offers live musical performances, kids’ crafting activities and a book signing, in addition to its lineup of 65 vendors. Indie South features some of the more established artists in the area—like David Hale, Double Dutch Press, Lauren Gregg, Chris Hubbard and Audra Rich of Tiny Tech Tank—while still retaining a strong DIY ethos. This year’s lineup covers virtually everything handmade—from prints, pottery, silk-screened clothing, knits and jewelry to bath and body products, minerals and crystals, vintage and antiques. Kindie South, a newly-expanded kids' area sponsored by Treehouse Kid & Craft and Our Arrow, will host a variety of crafts like ornament-making, as well as a Monster Maker workshop with Zack Wood on Saturday, Dec. 7 and two sets by kindie rock band Like Totally! on Sunday, Dec. 8 beginning at 3 p.m. Other musical performances throughout the weekend include Cortez Garza, Leann Pepper, Summer Hymns, Heather Heyn, Matt Hudgins and DJ Mahogany. On Saturday from 12 p.m.–2 p.m., Kristen Bach will sign copies of Beauty Everyday, a photography book made in collaboration with Rinne Allen and Rebecca Wood. The two-day open-air market takes place on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 12 p.m.–5 p.m. at 660 N. Chase St. near the corner of Chase St. and Prince Ave. For more details and a full list of participating art vendors, visit indiesouthfair.com.

Offering an alternative to the traditional gift exchange experience, the annual Benevolence Market presents a way to give back to the local community this holiday season. Attendees can meet representatives from nearly 30 local, nonprofit agencies, such as the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, Athens Community Council on Aging and the Athens Canine Rescue, and select items from a “shopping list of symbolic gifts" to donate. The market takes place at the First Baptist Church of Athens at 355 Pulaski St. on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 12–2:30 p.m. To see a list of requested gifts, go to firstpresathens.org/benevolencemarket.

During the annual Holiday Open House at the State Botanical Garden on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 2–5 p.m., the festively decorated tropical conservatory will be filled with music by the Georgia Children's Chorus, the Solstice Sisters and the Classic City Band. Children are invited to take photos and share their wishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as watch nature-themed puppet shows at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the children's classroom. The gift shop, which features items designed by students, will be open for adults to browse through many holiday ornaments and potential presents, and Donderos’ Kitchen will provide house-made hot chocolate and treats. For more information, visit botgarden.uga.edu.

An outdoor patio under twinkling lights makes for a festive setting at the Athens Holiday Market, held at Big City Bread on Thursday, Dec. 12 & Friday, Dec. 13 from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. This juried market presents the works of over 40 artists, including Jimmy Straehla a.k.a Cap Man, Annette Paskiewicz, Dan Smith, Frank Saggus, Barbara Odil, Kelly Hart and Rhys May. Unique items include handmade elf dolls and toys, bird houses constructed from reclaimed wood, holiday wreaths, jewelry, paintings and pottery. Big City Bread Cafe is located at 393 N. Finley St. Find the Athens Holiday Market on Facebook.

Downtown pottery spot Good Dirt Clay Studio and Gallery, located at 510 N. Thomas St., hosts its 16th annual Holiday Studio Sale on Friday, Dec. 13 from 5 p.m.–9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & Sunday, Dec. 15 from 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Items for sale will range from pottery, glass and jewelry made by instructors, interns and students. Owner Rob Sutherland's pottery will be featured in the gallery Dec. 6–21. For more information on the studio and gallery, visit gooddirt.net.

For a little bit of everything, join North Jackson Street businesses—Community, Dynamite Clothing, Adam's Optics and Jittery Joe's—on Friday, Dec. 13 from 6 p.m.–9 p.m. for a collaborative Evening Holiday Social featuring special sales, vendors and refreshments. Contact Community at [email protected] for more details. 

Juana Gnecco

Ceramic artist group Longroad Studios will host a Holiday Sale, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 & Sunday, Dec. 15. Held at 623 N. Milledge Ave., the sale includes functional and sculptural ceramics by Jorie Berman, Laura Cooper, Juana Gnecco, Nancy Green, Melanie Sgrignoli, Kendall Steele and Caryn van Wagtendonk. This year will also feature jewelry by Barbara Allen and hand-printed textiles by Sara Parker. Visit longroadstudios.com for details.

Rebecca Wood and her team of potters are almost as busy as Santa’s elves this holiday season as they gear up for their Holiday Sale on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. R. Wood Studio, located at 450 Georgia Dr., will have many brightly colored pieces that the studio is known for, in addition to several one-of-a-kind pieces made by Rebecca herself. To view samples of the potters’ work, check out rwoodstudio.com.

For handmade ceramic and sterling jewelry, funky functional pottery, tree ornaments, scarves, hats, cowls and one-of-a-kind carved items, drop by Soup Studios’ ninth Annual Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Soup Studios is located at 2140 S. Lumpkin St. To see examples of founding potter Jamie Voivedich’s brightly colored, whimsical works, some of which have been featured in Southern Living and on HGTV, visit soupstudios.com. 

Treehouse Kid & Craft’s fourth annual Hollyday Handmade Artist Market, held at 815 W. Broad St. on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., features the best handcrafted works of two dozen regional artists, including Hope Hilton, Christy Wooke, Ruth Allen, Chelsea Born, Lindsay Troutman, Missy Kulik and Raoul de la Cruz. For more information, visit treehousekidandcraft.com.

The Athens Artist Market’s Handmade for the Holidays event at The Classic Center, located at 300 N. Thomas St., includes 60 artists whose works range from traditional paintings, ceramics and jewelry to upcycled items, furniture and gourmet treats. A few highlights include knapped knives by Broad River Neolithics, goat milk soaps by Soaps N' Stilettos, eclectic mugs by Clay Cats Pottery and glass wine stoppers by Feral Fire. The market will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 & Sunday, Dec. 15 from 12 p.m.–8 p.m. For a complete list of participating vendors, check athensartistmarket.com.

Local art supporter Flicker Theatre & Bar opens its doors early for its own Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Have the bartender mix up an afternoon cocktail to warm you up as you look over the collection of creations from Athens-area artists. Flicker is located at 263 W. Washington St. downtown. Visit flickertheatreandbar.com for more information.

Heirloom Cafe and Fresh Market hosts its holiday market on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 9:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m. during brunch hours. Handmade wares will range from fine art, jewelry, bath products, knits, vintage items and more, with vendors including Keith P. Rein, Justin Klocke, Natalie Kilgore, Alyssa DeHayes and several others. Heirloom is located at 815 N. Chase St. Visit heirloomathens.com for details.

Outside Athens

The family-run Bendzunas Glass Studio and Gallery, located at 89 W. South Ave. in Comer, holds its last Holiday Open Houses of the season each day through Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. With 40 years in town, artist Paul Bendzunas has passed his craft down to his three children, who all currently work in the studio. Although operating primarily as a wholesale business that distributes to galleries country-wide, a public gallery displaying some of the family’s best mouth-blown functional and decorative glass art works will be open, and several glassblowing demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend. For more information, call 706-783-5869.

The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation’s 19th annual juried Holiday Market includes the works of 80 regional artists and crafters this year, ranging from pottery, paintings, stained and fused glass, jewelry, photography, sculpture, woodwork and more. The Market is open Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission for all three days is $3. OCAF’s Christmas Shoppe, which features handmade items created by the gallery's members, opens in conjunction with the Holiday Market on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. and will remain open through Saturday, Dec. 21. OCAF is located at 34 School St. in Watkinsville. For more details, visit ocaf.com. 

Venture over to Farmington Pottery’s December Open House Pottery Sale on Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to view the latest creations of Geoff and Lisa Pickett. A wide variety of pottery—including dinnerware, kitchen and tableware, garden pots and other individual pieces—will be on display, as well as a selection of soaps and skincare products made with herbs from Lisa’s own garden. Farmington Pottery is located at 1171 Freeman Creek Rd. in Farmington. For more information, visit pickettpottery.com and farmingtonherbals.com.

This year’s lineup at Wolf Creek Pottery promises a diverse array of traditional and contemporary pieces, with participating potters including Jorie Berman, Michael DeBerry, Juana Gnecco, Jen Graff, Nancy Green and Min Soo Yuh. Located at 1500 Tappan Spur Rd. in Watkinsville, the studio’s annual Holiday Sale is on Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more details, call 706-410-5200.

Among the fine art, folk art, textiles, stone work and metal work created by the dozen or so members who run the historic Farmington Depot Gallery, the Holidaze Festival on Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. features an artist market with handmade creations by a total of 30 regional artists. The event also promises food from local vendors, live music and hayrides for children. The gallery is located at 1001 Salem Rd. in Farmington, at the corner of Salem Road and Highway 441. For more information, visit farmingtondepotgallery.com.

While in the area, visit the annual J.B. (Jeff Bishoff) & Friends Pottery and Art Show and Sale for new works by J.B. and Keen Zero. Occurring on Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.–5 pm., the sale is located at 1790 Salem Rd. in Farmington. Call 678-863-1847.  

Tour the studio space of Woodruff Pottery, located at 35 S. Main St. in Watkinsville, during its Holiday Open House and Sale on Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Artist Alice Woodruff has over 40 years of experience in creating pottery, and makes both decorative and functional stoneware and porcelain works, including cups, bowls, plates and other vessels. For details, call 706-207-5175.