Art Market to Bring Holiday Cheer to White Lake

Clear your plans for the weekend and get ready for three days full of artwork, fine crafts, seasonal plants and fresh greens at for the fifth annual .

"This is the fifth year of the market as it stands today," said Leah Ohmer, executive director for the Huron Valley Council of the Arts (HVCA). "The unique thing about this particular event is that is takes place inside the Bogie Lake Greenhouses, a 28,000 square foot greenhouse."

The holiday market opens Friday at 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday with 30 Michigan artists and more than 20 authors and musicians mingling with attendees, Ohmer said.

"You get the opportunity to see and buy artwork and beautiful plants in the natural light of a greenhouse," said Mary Bajcz, a HVCA volunteer. "Not only do (owners) Patty and Mark Watkins donate the space for this event, but they also extensively advertise it. They really do a wonderful job. It works for everybody."

The Arts & Greens Holiday Art Market gives artists a helping hand to sell their work at a low cost in an inviting venue. Admission and parking are free. The event includes a central checkout, so all artists can accept credit cards and focus on helping customers. In addition, friendly HVCA volunteers are available to assist customers throughout the weekend.

"Special attention will be given throughout the weekend to creating a festive mood to encourage holiday shopping," Ohmer said. "The Friday evening opening will feature a luminary stroll through the greenhouse and artisan booths, along with music and light refreshments."

The "Empty Bowls" soup fundraiser will take place Friday. Soups from area restaurants will be sold for $10 per bowl.

"Customers may purchase local artists' bowls in a silent auction; area high school students' bowls are the subject of a 'Chinese raffle'," Ohmer said. "All proceeds benefit Community Sharing Outreach Center in Highland."

In addition, nonperishable food items will be collected on site all weekend to benefit Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford.

Other events include a book signing by featured fine arts photographer Monte Nagler. He will be signing copies of his book Monte Nagler's Michigan and a new 2011 calendar Friday.

There will also be appearances and book signings by several other Michigan authors and illustrators.

The market will host several musical groups through the weekend, including:

• Gary Weisenburg and Friends, including Dusty Rhodes and Neil Woodward. They will perform a variety of original music as well as holiday music favorites at the opening Friday.
• The HVCA Tuba Christmas concert, scheduled to play at 3 p.m. Saturday. They plan a jam session comprised of as many tuba and euphonium players as possible. Nick Palise, former director of the Lakeland High School band, is the conductor.
• Completely Oblivious, an alternative folk/rock group will perform 3-4 p.m. Sunday. Members include Beverly and Doug Larson, Jim Roche and Gary Weisenburg.

The market will run Friday from 5-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. For a full list of the weekend's activities, visit the HVCA website.