Description

Bay Arts Alliance hosts #ArtCityPC: Local Artist Expo, and the ninth annual Holiday Bazaar featuring art from local artisan vendors—just in time for the holiday season at the Center for the Arts.

#ArtCityPC will open with a reception on Friday, November 12, from 5–7pm. The exhibition will then run through Saturday, December 19. The Holiday Bazaar is a two-day event: December 4, 5–8pm, and December 5, 10am–3pm. Both of these events are free for the public to attend.

Paintings, drawings, and photography will fill the Center for the Arts galleries during #ArtCityPC. Visitors can buy art directly off the wall and take it home that day, which is different from most exhibitions at the Center when the art has to stay on the wall through the end of the exhibition. Once a piece of art is sold, artists can immediately replace it with a new piece, so the exhibition will constantly change.

“#ArtCityPC and our Holiday Bazaar are wonderful ways to celebrate the incredible creativity we have right here in our community,” said Jayson Kretzer, Executive Director of Bay Arts Alliance. “Both feature local artists and artisans and allow our community to discover something original, support local creatives, and take a little piece of Panama City home with them for the holidays.”

Bay Arts Alliance’s ninth annual Holiday Bazaar will take place over two days: December 4 from 5-8pm, coinciding with the Downtown Christmas Celebration that evening, and December 5 from 10am-3pm. Shoppers can browse the galleries with table after table of unique, handcrafted goods from dozens of local artists and artisans.

“The Holiday Bazaar is such a special tradition because it brings out a real sense of pride in our local creatives while also capturing that warm, nostalgic feeling we all love about the holiday season,” said Kelsi McLendon, Development Manager of Bay Arts Alliance. “Artisans get an opportunity to connect face to face with the community and earn some extra income as we approach a traditionally busy season, while shoppers can obtain truly unique gifts for their loved ones—all under one roof at the Center for the Arts. It’s my personal favorite artisan market of the year, and we are always thrilled to help facilitate it.”

Bay Arts Alliance

Since 1978, Bay Arts Alliance has served as the local arts agency for Bay County and provides opportunities for cultural enrichment through broad based educational experiences, music and arts programs, exhibitions, and events. Their mission is to inspire a lifelong appreciation of the Arts. They are committed to responding to the ever-changing needs of the community, supporting innovation, and connecting endeavors of all arts organizations. Bay Arts Alliance has brought countless national touring performances to the area and is the primary force behind the annual Backstage Pass concert series at the Marina Civic Center. Bay Arts Alliance also hosts the Very Special Arts Festival for exceptional children, and its Arts in Education Program provides many cultural opportunities for Bay County schools and non-profit organizations at no charge—serving over 10,000 children annually.

Panama City Center for the Arts

Panama City Center for the Arts in downtown Panama City is housed in the beautiful 1925 historic City Hall building. Panama City Center for the Arts is managed by Bay Arts Alliance. In the Center for the Arts, Bay Arts Alliance provides visitors and the local community with creative enrichment through monthly art shows and exhibitions, films, concerts, educational art classes for all ages, and special focus classes for Bay County school trips. The facility and grounds are under the ownership of the City of Panama City.