San Antonio’s creative artisan culture will be on display at several venues, offering handmade items in plenty of time for the gift-giving season.
The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center offers a diversion from online shopping with its 34th International Peace Market, or Mercado de Paz, Nov. 24-26, at 922 San Pedro Avenue.
Intended as “an alternative to Black Friday where goods are mass-produced and where individuals fight traffic, long lines and shop within a stressful environment,” according to an Esperanza Center news release, attendees to the free event can interact directly with local artisans as they shop.
In addition to regular vendors such as the MujerArtes Clay Cooperativa, Con Cariño Mexican Folk Art and Aztlán Libre Press, new vendors include Las Manos Mágicas, Silver Mazahua Jewelry and Árboles de Vida.
Featured international vendors will include Oaxacan Silver Filigree Jewelry, Mexican Decorative Tin and Guatemalan & Mexican Huipiles.
Live music will accompany the market and affordable food will be available. Mercado hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Brick at Blue Star
Each year, San Antonio artists, makers and small business owners gather at Brick at Blue Star for the annual Black Friday Market.
Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., more than 40 vendors will sell handmade and carefully curated goods and goodies, including tasty treats from Sweet Cravings by Katherine and whimsical jewelry from Muy Fun, among many other offerings.
The first 50 early birds to arrive will receive a complimentary swag bag filled with vendor goodies and discounts.
Tobin Center
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts joins in the holiday fun on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with its free Holiday Art Market, promising one-of-a-kind handcrafted items created by a selection of 75 local artists and artisans.
In addition to festive live entertainment, food and drink, Santa Claus will be present for photos with the kids, and the Tobin Center will offer “Reindeer (Lawn) Games” on its downtown grounds.
Pharm Table
Health-conscious foodies will find a bevy of hand-crafted items at Pharm Table restaurant’s holiday market on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
Fine ceramics by Linda Perez and Nita Ceramics will be on offer, alongside artworks by Luma and Rikkianne Van Kirk, wooden kitchen items by Urban Tree, Pacapit portable grills, botanical goods by Other Realm Botanicals, and kitchenware, jewelry and household goods from Wren Tienda.
Musical Bridges Around the World
Known for presenting an international selection of classical and traditional music, Musical Bridges Around the World also hosts an art gallery at its Leon Springs headquarters.
Gallery manager Diana Roberts has assembled a group of San Antonio and Hill Country artisans for Tesoros, an exhibition of handmade treasures for purchase including small paintings, functional and sculptural ceramics, traditional jewelry and wearable sculpture.
Artisans include jewelers Laura Everett, Sherry Fotopoulos and Maria Guerrero, painters Joy Elizabeth Gibson, David Guerrero and Thelma Ortiz Muraida, and ceramic artists Mark Hansen, Gaye Lynn Hodgson, Michael Hodgson and Doug Oian.
After a free gala opening reception on Dec. 2 from 5-8 p.m. with music, wine and small bites, Tesoros will remain on view in the gallery through Feb. 16.
Witte Museum
The Witte Museum Holiday Market opens to the public at noon on Dec. 3 and runs until 5 p.m. Museum members can get in on the holiday spirit one hour early at 11 a.m.
Thirty-five local merchants and makers will offer a selection of goods including the earrings and hair accessories of Bohemian Gemme, durable leather goods by Broken Axe Leather Company, imaginative sensory-oriented playdough kits by Doughrific Kids and jewelry and clothing from Native Designs By Dana.
Photographer Al Rendón, currently featured in a 50-year retrospective at the museum, will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sign copies of the book accompanying his exhibition, Mi Cultura — Bringing Shadows Into the Light: The Photography of Al Rendón.
Young musicians from the Tuesday Musical Club will perform at 1:15 p.m., followed by an Agarita Humble Hall concert at 2 p.m. to round out the festivities.
Admission to the Witte Museum Holiday Market is free.
San Antonio Museum of Art
The San Antonio Museum of Art promises family fun at its Holiday Museum Market on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Among 40 local vendors will be Mija Folk Art, Texas Potter and From Scratch Farm offering handmade and made-from-scratch goods.
Activities for the family will include art making, live music and storytime with Kay Karcher Mijangos and Laura Mijangos of their newly released children’s book Looking for the Cherries.
Food and beverage vendors on hand will be SAMA’s own Tre Trattoria, the Olla Express Cafe Coffee Truck, Tasty Aguas Frescas and wine tastings from Postino.
The market event is free.
