The Falmouth Art Center is holding its Annual Holiday Market this year but, like everything else this year, it will be different. Shoppers will have three options to view the items in the market: in person in the Art Center, outside the Art Center and online.

The Holiday Market opens Saturday, November 21 and stays open to Christmas Eve, December 24.

Highlights this year from more than 60 local artist and crafters include an extensive display of beautiful pottery; gorgeous handmade wreaths made from dried flowers; handmade ornaments; hand-crafted jewelry; hand-embroidered items; knitted hats and scarfs; hand-painted silk
scarves; handmade soaps, Nobska Farms hot pepper products, handmade baskets; cards; and framed paintings, prints and photographs.

"We have had so many artists and crafters asking about our Holiday Market for months, so we knew we had to find a way to make it happen, despite
the pandemic," Falmouth Art Center Executive Director Laura Reckford said. After months of planning, the result is a re imagined Market both inside and outside the Art Center, as well as onthe Art Center's website, FalmouthArt.org.

Inside the Art Center, pandemic health rules remain in place: masks and social distancing plus patrons are asked to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands; and disinfectant will be used throughout the center. Special air filters will also be used throughout the Center.

The arts and crafts will be spread out over three rooms, instead of the usual two. The checkout area will have plexiglass shields, and people will be able to exit out the back door, to encourage a one-way flow through the space. Volunteers will include students from Falmouth High School's National Arts Honor Society who will man the checkout areas and outside sales areas. The outside area will have one or two tables of merchandise, weather-permitting.

For the online display, Falmouth Art Center volunteers Walter Knox and Greg Anderson photographed at least one piece from all 60 plus artists in the Market. People can view the online Market and call in to the Art Center for more information.

Hours of the Falmouth Art Center have been extended for the Holiday Market. "The Holiday Market is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, so we hope people join us to shop and support local artists," Ms. Reckford said. The Falmouth Art Center located at 137 Gifford Street in Falmouth is free and open to the public daily. Hours of the Holiday Market are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm; Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1 to 4pm. For more information, go to FalmouthArt.org or call 508-540-3304.

The Falmouth Art Center, a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1966, is dedicated to the visual arts,
providing educational and exhibition opportunities and welcoming students of all ages and abilities and all who enjoy and appreciate art.