Local art venues had visitors doing some early holiday shopping this weekend as Schuylkill County got into the Christmas spirit with a variety of holiday events.
The elaborately decorated Yuengling Mansion, 1440 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, was overflowing with unique Christmas gifts from local artists and holiday spirit as the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts and Schuylkill County's VISION's Block of Art presented the fourth annual German Christmas Market, or Christkindlmarkt.
"It really is wonderful," Peter Cieslukowski, Shenandoah, the SCCA board member who decorated the mansion, said Saturday.
Fredrick Hubler, one of the Christkindlmarkt organizers, said it was great to see people supporting their local businesses.
"There's a lot of people from out of the area that have been coming and they have been doing the whole holiday tour," Hubler said. "This weekend is not only about supporting the arts, but it also gets people to eat and shop here. It is important to keep the revenue and tax dollars here."
Hubler said there were more than 30 vendors at Christkindlmarkt on Saturday. He said there will probably be more next year and tents will have to be put up outside.
"I think it's important to have this event here in our community not just for the economic value, but for the entertainment value, too, as we get closer to the holidays."
Christkindlmarkt will also be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.
Businesses opened in downtown Schuylkill Haven as the borough hosted an "Old Fashioned Christmas on Main Street."
"It's wonderful," Lori Michael, owner of The Shoppes at the Meck Knitting Mill, said Saturday afternoon while dressed in Victorian-era clothing. "The amount of people downtown is just fantastic."
The Greater Schuylkill Haven Business Association partnered with local businesses for the day-long event. There was ice sculpting, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, crafters, a Christmas story hour and a boilo competition. The theme was a Victorian Christmas.
She said there were probably about three times as many people shopping downtown than there was during Borough Day a few weeks ago.
"We are trying to get people to support the downtown businesses and they have been absolutely great," she said. "I'm thrilled and hope it put people in the holiday spirit."
Michael said all the art venues worked really well together and is excited to do it again next year as they continue to market the event as a weekend trip.
"We want to get Schuylkill Haven known outside the area and get people to come here and support our businesses," she said. "We want to get people to stay at our hotels, look at our shops and enjoy the artwork."
The Walk In Art Center, third floor at 110 W. Columbia St., Schuylkill Haven, hosted an open house Saturday. The art space has 15 art studios for local artists. Many of the artists were on hand to talk about their work with visitors.
"We are really excited to see Schuylkill Haven and other communities come out for the holiday," Michelle Halabura, assistant executive director at the center, said. "I'm glad to see them enjoying the art and talking with the artists about their projects."
She said there were a lot of children at the open house participating in a variety of projects at the studio, including making Christmas cards and ornaments.
"I think Schuylkill Haven is a great place to add to the art community," Halabura said. "It's walkable and there are a lot of schools. There is a lot of opportunity here."
Another thing that people enjoyed at the studio were the old photos and items from the former Walkin Shoe Company.
"People always have stories of family members that worked here. They like what we did with the building and are so glad to see it being used," Halabura said. "We are happy to be using a space that has already been warmed by the community."
Mud & Maker, 6 S. Centre St., Pottsville, hosted its first holiday event this weekend as the gallery and art retail store just opened in the spring. The store features all local artists and crafters and is also a full-service ceramics studio. Gifts and seasonal decorations were available from more than 50 local artists this weekend.
Mud & Maker is also open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.
The Arts Barn, 3 Berry Road, Schuylkill Haven, was also open Saturday with all kinds of art and crafts for Christmas gifts. The studio started with one gallery and six artists during its first holiday season a few years ago. It now has two galleries and 60 artisans from all over the state.
The Arts Barn will be open from noon to 5 p.m. today.
INFO BOX
Open today
· Christkindlmarkt at the Yuengling Mansion, 1440 Mahantongo St., Pottsville
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
· Mud & Maker, 6 S. Centre St., Pottsville
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
· The Arts Barn, 3 Berry Road, Schuylkill Haven
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday