Holiday market returns to Westmoreland Museum for 2023 season

Anyone looking for unique, homemade gifts will find plenty at the Holiday Mart in the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg this weekend.

The annual event brings local artisans together to show off and sell their creations. Booths spill out into the lobby and first level of the museum, and visitors have the chance to peruse nearly 20 different artisan stands during the three-day event.

Textiles, paintings, jewelry, children’s books and more will be available for purchase, along with free holiday wrapping.

“It’s really geared towards the holiday shopping season, so we offer a 10% discount in our shop on all of our items,” said museum spokesperson Claire Ertl. “We feature local artisans, some of (whom) are always featured in our shop and some of whom are not. That’s become even more expanded than in years past.”

The market runs Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum also will be open during the market.

The Thursday kickoff event coincided with Luminary Night, promoted by the Greensburg Business and Professional Association. The lights stretched up Main Street towards the museum, and Ertl hopes Luminary Night visitors will check out the free Holiday Mart during their evening.

Thursday was also part of Winter Lights Late Nights at the museum, which gives visitors a chance to check out the outdoor light display.

Local artisans see the event as a festive way to promote their works, while giving the public a look at how they make items by hand.

“It’s a great opportunity for exposure, and at these holiday markets, I’m also usually demonstrating, so the community can see how textiles are made,” said Martin Meyer, a textiles artist from the Torrance area who works with a loom.

Meyer’s yarn scarves, place mats, table runners and other items have been featured in the museum’s gift shop since this summer. This is his first Holiday Mart, he said.

“It’s exciting, just because I get to see all of these different handmade things that all look really cool,” he said. “You usually don’t get to see all handmade items from people who live in the local area.”