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Athens Locally Grown has closed.
ALG Market Open for December 12
This post expired on December 09, 2023.
Athens Locally Grown
How to contact us:
Our Website: athens.locallygrown.net
On Twitter: @athlocallygrown
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/athenslocallygrown
On Thursdays: Here’s a map.
Market News
This is the season for holiday artisan markets, and it seems like there are more than ever in Athens this year. Below is a list of upcoming holiday artisan markets, as printed in the Flagpole, but there are others that didn’t yet make the list. I’ll spread the word when I hear their details via out Twitter and Facebook feeds. If you don’t already follow them, you can find the addresses right above. You’ve already demonstrated your commitment to buy some of your food from local farmers. Giving gifts made from local artisans is just as important, and can be even more rewarding!
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.
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. 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.
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 communityathens@gmail.com for more 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.
Thanks so much for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers, local food, and our rights to eat it. You all are part of what makes Athens such a great area in which to live. We’ll see you on Thursday at Ben’s Bikes at the corner of Pope and Broad Streets from 4:30 to 8pm!
Other Area Farmers Markets
The Athens Farmers Market is open on Saturday mornings at Bishop Park (see their website for info). The Oconee Farmers Market is open on Saturdays 8am-1pm in front of the Court House in Watkinsville. The Washington-Wilkes Farmer’s Market in Washington is open every Saturday 9-12 behind the Washington Courthouse.
All of these other markets are separate from ALG (including the Athens Farmers Market) but many growers sell at multiple markets. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so!
We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!