Library Arts Center Holiday Market Boosts Local Artists and Funding

The Library Arts Center in Newport is holding its annual Gallery of Gifts, a seasonal juried holiday market and fundraiser that brings together handmade goods from roughly 80 to 120 local and regional artisans. The center, located at 58 N. Main St., Newport, presents jewelry, pottery, woodworking, textiles, soaps, prints and specialty foods for holiday shoppers seeking locally produced items. The exhibit and market are staffed by center volunteers and are intended to raise revenue and visibility for the Library Arts Center's year round programs.

The Gallery of Gifts typically operates during the main holiday shopping season and usually remains open through late December. Seasonal hours often include weekday and Saturday times, and the center posts exact dates and current hours on its website. The show may feature special events such as an opening reception, late night shopping and artist talks that add community programming and draw additional visitors to downtown Newport.

For Sullivan County residents the market is more than a place to buy gifts. It functions as a practical revenue stream for a nonprofit cultural institution, and it provides emerging and mid career makers with retail exposure that can be difficult to secure elsewhere. Volunteer staffing fosters civic participation and helps the center deliver programming without relying solely on municipal funding. Those dynamics underline the role of local arts organizations in sustaining cultural life outside of major urban centers.

The event also has economic implications for downtown Newport by bringing shoppers into local businesses during a critical retail period. That impact supports broader goals of community revitalization and tourism. At the same time, reliance on seasonal fundraisers and volunteer labor raises questions about long term sustainability for arts programming and about the balance between public support and grassroots fundraising.

Residents planning to attend should check the Library Arts Center website for exact dates, current hours and any special events. The market offers an opportunity to support regional makers, contribute to a community arts institution and help preserve local cultural infrastructure during the holiday season.