Joe Bruneau, artist
The Madison County Arts Council (MCAC) Holiday Market returns to downtown Marshall from Friday, November 27, through Wednesday, December 23. Taking place in the Arts Council’s newly renovated building for the first time since Helene, the market will feature handmade gifts and artwork from approximately 50 artists, along with artist demonstrations and special pop-up events throughout the season.
“Being able to rebuild after Helene and seeing our community’s hard work and dedication come to fruition is deeply moving,” says ceramic artist and painter Katie Graham. “When you buy something locally handmade you are not only buying an object but a sense of place and time. The art or craft is beautiful, but it will also be a memory of who made it and where you got it.”
The renovated space allows MCAC to accommodate more artists than in previous years. Each participating artist creates an individual booth, while the Arts Council manages transactions and promotes their work to visitors. A small commission supports MCAC, with the majority of sales proceeds going directly to the artists.
Graham will bring a collection of Raku-fired ceramic wall pieces, holiday ornaments and smaller giftable works to this year’s market. Among her new offerings this year is a rainbow trout ornament featuring red, yellow and green glass embedded in a crackle glaze.
“I am always taking note of the mosses, mushrooms, flora and fauna on my hikes and river trips,” she says.
Joe Bruneau has been weaving baskets for nearly four decades, having discovered the craft during a weekend workshop while attending Warren Wilson College. His work, too, draws from the local ecosystem, incorporating locally foraged woods, vines and other found materials.
“My favorite part of the basket is collecting and selecting the vine that will be its frame,” he says. “WNC is abundant in native and non-native species, vines as well as shrubs and trees.”
At this year’s market, Bruneau will offer an assortment of functional baskets alongside miniature ornaments fashioned from bangle bracelets, wire, rattan and scrap yarn. Visitors may even catch him weaving during their shopping trips.
Beyond providing a place to shop, the MCAC Holiday Market creates opportunities for visitors to connect with the people behind the artwork.
“Supporting local artists, shops and galleries is now more important than ever in the wake of Helene, especially here in Marshall,” Graham says. “We have come a long way, but we still need all the support we can get. Buying and gifting local art is an easy and fun way to make a difference.”
The MCAC Holiday Market will be open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 90 South Main Street, Marshall. For more information, visit MadisonCountyArts.com or call 828.649.1301.
