Siskiyou Woodcraft Guild show will be in OSF’s Hay-Patton Rehearsal Center
By Jim Flint for Ashland.news
Rogue Valley craft lovers will be a happy lot this holiday season with all the artisan fairs and shows on tap.
The events begin in November and continue until just before Christmas. Area crafters will offer everything from beautifully carved wooden pieces and clay pottery to unique handmade treasures perfect for gift-giving.
Buyers and browsers also will have a chance to meet the talented artisans exhibiting at the shows.
Following is a list of major craft events from Ashland to Medford. Get ready to explore and discover an array of coveted one-of-a-kind gifts.
Clayfolk show and sale
This 49th annual Medford event kicks off the craft fair holiday season the weekend before Thanksgiving, Nov. 22-24, at the Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Highway.
Hours for the Southern Oregon Potters’ Association signature event are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
There will be artists’ demos and sales booths featuring a variety of functional, sculptural and whimsical work by more than 70 member artists from across Oregon and Northern California.
A children’s clay activity will be held 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Kids will each receive a hunk of clay to use as they wish, with a Clayfolk potter on hand to offer suggestions and advice, as well as show them how tools of the trade are used.
For more information, go to clayfolk.org.
Siskiyou Woodcraft Guild
The guild’s 45th show and sale will celebrate the work of local woodworkers Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1, at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Hay-Patton Rehearsal Center, 30 S. First St., Ashland, across the street from the Ashland Springs Hotel.
Members will exhibit an artful display of styles with pieces made from carefully selected wood, including furniture, turned bowls, carvings and more. There is no admission fee.
Hours for the event are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. It’s the guild’s only show and sale of the year.
Lithia Artisans Christmas Faire
The Lithia Artisans Market will hold its popular fair in both Ashland and Medford on different weekends. Admission is free.
They’ll be in Ashland Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1, at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St., two blocks from the downtown corridor. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 30; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1.
The Medford Holiday Market will be held the weekend before Christmas, Dec. 20-22, at the Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Highway. The hours are 10-7 Friday and Saturday, and 11-4 on Sunday.
Marcus Scott is the manager of the two holiday events and the weekend markets held in Ashland throughout the year. A member since 1994, he helped found the Christmas Faire in 2001, holding the holiday market in the old Briscoe School four years later.
“That event became the current Ashland Historic Armory market,” he said. “A number of years ago we added the Medford Armory fair, and both events have become excellent shows for both artists and customers.”
The fair is a juried event, assuring a high level of quality, consistency and artistry. On display for sale will be the work of more than 40 artists, offering woodwork, silver-smithed jewelry, photography, original paintings, pottery, glasswork, wool accessories, body care products, leather goods, beaded items, hats, clothing, quilts and more.
There will be music at the Ashland event, featuring classical guitarist Rod Petrone, the Brothers Reed, bluegrass artist Bekkah McAlvage of the Rosa Lees, and guitarists Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman with their Latin sounds.
The shows also offer prizes for attendees.
“We will raffle off $100 worth of $20 gift certificates at each show,” Scott said. “It is free to enter the drawings. Certificates can be used to purchase items from artisans at the shows or at our outdoor markets in Ashland.”
From March to November, members sell their wares along the creek on Calle Guanajuato near the Ashland Plaza.
For more information, news and updates, go to lithiaartisansmarket.com.
First United Methodist Church
Ashland’s First United Methodist Church will hold its annual Holiday Faire Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 175 N. Main St., Ashland. Admission is free.
Chair Dirlene Wheeler says the event features crafts, art, quilts and other handmade items for sale by church members and friends. She and co-chair Chris Jones have been part of the church bazaar for several years.
“This is our major outreach mission fundraiser,” Wheeler said. “Proceeds help support Habitat for Humanity, Ashland Wednesday Access Food Bank and local Ukrainian family refugees.”
Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7, with homemade foods such as chili and squash soup, and homemade pie.
“We also have what we call Grandma’s Attic Sale, which includes small treasures, baked and homemade food items, and gently used merchandise,” Wheeler said.
Siskiyou School Winter Faire
Siskiyou School’s annual holiday event has been an Ashland fixture for more than 30 years, catering to families with activities for all ages.
It will be held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7, in the school and on the grounds at 631 Clay St.
On Dec. 6, the night’s special event is the Winter Faire Market Shopping Evening for adults only, 6 to 8 p.m. Designed for school friends and families, it’s not advertised as a public event.
The Saturday Winter Faire runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and has an old-fashioned vibe, with children’s activities, crafts, 25 gift vendors, and three food trucks. The Winter Faire Café will be serving coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.
Sarah Collins says she gets a lot of pleasure helping the school get ready for the event.
“What I enjoy most about planning for the festival are the crafting parties we hold,” she said. “It’s so much fun creating all the little prizes and decorations for the event.”
Her favorite thing about the event itself is what she calls “the magic in the air” and the smiles on children’s faces.
“It’s so incredible to see our campus transform into a whimsical wonderland.”
This year, the school is replacing its bird feeder station with an Elven Workshop craft station. Activities include braiding your own jump rope and dipping beeswax candles. Other things to look for are treats in the Crystal Cookie Room, treasures from the Pocket Person and the magical throne room of the Fairy Queen.
The event draws many former students, old friends and hundreds of people from all over the valley.
For more information, news and updates, go to siskiyouschool.org/winterfaireandmarket.
Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].
