If there’s one thing you can count on to be a great time on the town, it’s the traditional Holiday Art Hop in the Benton Harbor Arts District.
A merry mix of art, music, dance, delicious desserts and refreshments will brighten everyone’s spirits during the Holiday Art Hop from 6-9pm on Friday, December 8th held in the arts district. This annual event, hosted by The New Territory Arts Association, is a feel-good holiday celebration that draws hundreds downtown to stroll into the galleries, studios, shops and restaurants.
New on the Holiday Art Hop circuit is Aveline Art Gallery at 138 Water Street. Art hoppers will enjoy light refreshments while finding a variety of gift ideas among the original fine arts and crafts. Featured items include handmade scarves, charming felted animals, jewelry, paintings, photography and clothing.
Another exciting first is a solo exhibition for Artist-in-Residence Mert Ungor at Water Street Glassworks located at 140 Water Street. Over his last few months at the studio, Ungor has been prolific with his glass art and has taught advanced students his Venetian-style glassblowing techniques. He was born in Antalya, Turkey and was discovered while working in Istanbul by Chad Holliday, an associate professor at West Texas A & M University (WTAMU). Holliday encouraged the young artist to come to WTAMU to earn his Master of Fine Arts degree in glass. Visitors will see his extraordinary work, as well as dazzling array of hand-blown glass ornaments of local artists, while enjoying Virtue Cider from Fennville.
The Holiday Art Hop is also an opportunity for visitors to check out the recently reopened Phoenix Coffee Shop at 124 Water Street. Enjoy a steaming cup of coffee or tea with a delectable pastry while listening to the St. Joseph High School band and orchestra students perform an array of holiday songs.
3 Pillars Music at 198 Water Street will host children’s author Julee Laurent. She will give three readings of her newly released book, “Lola and Lazlo.” Signed copies will be available for purchase and gift giving. Interspersed between the readings will be guitar performances by Jared Knuth. Wine, cheese, sparkling juices for the children and a chance to peruse 3 Pillars’ vinyl record, CD and music instrument collections for gift ideas will round out the evening.
Other festive stops include:
- 210 Art Space at 210 Water Street, featuring an eclectic collection of artwork, books and refreshments.
- ARS Gallery, Arts & Culture Center at 147 Fifth Street, will provide champagne punch, light bites and live music as art hoppers explore Susan Henshaw’s exhibit of large abstract acrylics inspired by the lines and colors of her photography.
- The Benton Harbor Public Library at 213 E. Wall Street, will welcome evening visitors with a wide selection of locally handcrafted gifts showcased at its annual Holiday Bazaar.
- The Citadel Dance Center at 91 Hinkley Street, will present its Dance, Music & Dessert Night at 6 and 7:30pm with treats and excerpts from “A Steamed Nutcracker” as well as the studio’s festive holiday tap performances. Admission: $5.
- The Oak Room at The Citadel, also at 91 Hinkley Street, will display artwork created by students attending St. Joseph High School art classes.
- The Livery Microbrewery will host Holiday Art Hop visitors Friday, and will encourage them to return on Saturday, December 9th. The two-day event is their December Darkness celebration when they tap their dark and barrel-aged beers, serve up house-specialty foods and bring in regional musicians for post-9pm entertainment. The Holiday Art Hop weekend tap list includes bourbon barrel-aged 2017 Trippel Weizenbock, Batch 800 Barleywine, Wee Heavy and Polar Vortex Maibock; Black Lily (a red and black raspberry cyser), 2017 Maillot Rouge and a one-time-only, Bourbon Peach Sour. On December 8th at 9 pm, the four-piece band Mister F will perform its fusion-fueled, danceable sound. Admission is free. The next day, art hoppers are invited to come to The Livery’s bottle release at 11am. Featured beverages are the microbrewery’s bourbon barrel-aged 2017 Trippel Weizenbock, Batch 800, 2017 Love Pump and its 2017 Maillot Rouge. At 9 pm, Tropidelic, a six-piece band from Cleveland, Ohio, will perform its mix of reggae, hip-hop and high energy funk.
For updates on the Holiday Art Hop or information about upcoming events, contact: info@newterritoryarts.org or follow New Territory Arts Association on Facebook.
The New Territory Arts Association is a 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to the revitalization of Benton Harbor through the arts. Founded in 1998, it has been responsible for many Benton Harbor Arts District events and arts-related community programming.
