A week of fun at Creative Arts Center

Each year, the Creative Arts Center at 200 W. 5th Street in Bonham hosts an annual bazaar - Sweets, Spirits & Sparkles. This unique event features artists, artisans and craftsmen from the local area selling their one-of-a-kind items at one time in one spot. And you can sip champagne while you shop! This year the hours of the sale are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and admission is free. There will be jewelers, glass artists, wood artists, hand made soaps & lotions, painters, illustrated books and much more.

This year, there are more happenings associated with the bazaar than ever before. Since the date falls on December 7 - the Saturday after #GivingTuesday - the center has incorporated the spirit of giving in a week of activities, beginning with #GivingTuesday, December 3. On that day, the Creative Arts Center will serve hot cider and sweets all day to encourage guests to visit the center. For those already familiar with the arts center, it's a great day to shop or drop off a donation to help keep the many programs going.

"We thought it would be fun for everyone to really get into the Christmas spirit prior to Sweets, Spirits & Sparkles. Though the bazaar brings in lots of guests each year, with all the new folks moving into town, I wanted to do a little more," said Lisa Avila, Executive Director of the arts center. "So, we have a week of fun contests and prizes to win that will all be given away at noon during the bazaar. Guess how many candies are in the beautiful glass bowl by Dream Art Glass; enter the wackiest piece of art in our Seeing Red Exhibit; enter the Ugly Sweater Contest - there are a lot of ways to participate."

On Thoughtful Thursday, December 5, for every cash donation made, the arts center will donate a coat to the Fannin Crisis Center's annual Coat Drive, doubling the impact of that donation. That evening, the monthly Art on the Town Painting Party will be an ornament decorating party from 6:30-8:30, and on the following day (Fabulous Friday), anyone entering the most fabulous Christmas ornament in that contest will also win a prize.

All prizes won during the week will be awarded at noon during Sweets, Spirits & Sparkles and the Ugly Sweater Contest will be at 12:15. The winner will receive a bottle wine. 

If you need a place to shop local, keep tax dollars in Bonham, support small business and get your shopping done, the place to be on December 7 is the Creative Arts Center. A portion of the sales (20%) goes back to the center, so your purchases help the artists, help the center and help Bonham. For more information about the Creative Arts Center, visit them on Facebook or at www.creativeartscenterbonham.com or call 903-640-2196. The Creative Arts Center is a project of the Fannin Community Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit.