What’s up for the holiday season?

Well, the Holiday Art Market, for one. Skip the mall and put down that catalog! This popular annual event showcases the work of a dozen area artists, with original, one-of-a-kind work at prices from affordable to extravagant. You’ll find jewelry, pottery, weaving, stained glass, photographs, ceramic tiles, and shrines.

This year’s artists are Elisabeth Bard, Robanne Palmer, Lisa Pilchard, Ingrid Jackoway, Wendy Shipman, Julianne Darrow, Karen Hornor, Doortje Shover, Bruce Casale, Katherine Casale, Jenny Davies-Reazor, Melissa Paquette, and Carole Fox.

Make your list, check it twice, and come find great gifts. You can expand your options by checking out the Gallery Shop.

We’re open Tuesday through Friday, noon-7 p.m., and weekends, noon-4 p.m. through December 30. We’ll be closed Christmas Day.

And we have a special, members-only offer. Come out to the Holiday Art Market on Saturday, December 1, from 12-4 p.m. It’s NAA Member Appreciation Day. You’ll save 10% on every purchase and – get this – we’ll keep the kids (member and non-member alike) occupied with a holiday ornament art project so everyone can shop to their heart’s content. (We do ask parents to supervise youngsters under age 5.)

Also on the agenda are two events designed to bid a fond farewell to our Grainery Station space. First comes the NAA “House Cooling”! It’s actually two events in one on Saturday, December 15. Stop by from 12-5 p.m. to share cookies and punch and write goodbye thoughts in an NAA scrapbook. Then, from 5-7 p.m., there’s a potluck dinner and jam session. Bring a dish to share with six people – one that’s ready to go and won’t require refrigeration or heating up. We’ll provide soft drinks. And if you’ve ever played music at the NAA, bring your instrument and sit in. No set times, no set tunes – just a chance to create a joyful noise.

Then head over to after-party at the Blue Crab Grill in the Suburban Plaza off Elkton Road. John Pollard & the Holiday Pharmacy will play the first set, followed by more jamming!

Next comes a chance to “Paint Your Art Out.” Be part of the free-form, pre-demolition decorating of the NAA building’s interior walls on Sunday, January 13, from 1-3 p.m. To help with “painting the room in a colorful way,” the NAA will provide some art materials. Feel free to bring your own, too – paint, crayons, pastels ... just no spray paint, please.

There’s also a free Art To Go project on Saturday, December 8. A free holiday ornament project sponsored by the NAA will be part of the festivities from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the George Wilson Center in Newark. Youngsters can also buy gifts at “Santa’s Secret Shoppe” from 9 a.m.-noon and, for a $2 fee, have a “Snack With Santa.”