By GRACE DESPAIN ’29
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, 5 Dec 2025
On Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rows of tables will fill the Van Dyk lounge and the ENCORE suite. Cheery faces, festive spirit and the joy of Houghton Campus hosting vendors: this is the Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair. Over 50 vendors will participate in this season’s fair, with a total of 78 tables. These vendors, some local to Allegany County and others local to the campus, are ready to supply customers’ Christmas with handmade gifts. Tables include everything from watercolor prints to crochet animals, making the possibilities for people’s Christmas surprises endless.
“I personally really enjoy it,” said Amelia Morrow ‘26, a second-time student vendor who will have a table at the fair. As an art student, having a table helps Morrow gather experience in promoting and selling her artwork. “[It’s]preparing me for my probable future in further vendoring. I haven’t sold things like this before so its been good learning how to talk to and handle customers, make changes on the spot, and learn how to make enough to stock up for shows,” said Morrow.
It isn’t just about the product; it’s also about the work put into it and what happens after it’s consumed. To buy a print or piece of pottery from Morrow doesn’t only result in a customized piece of art in a customer’s hands, it also means that she gets to share something she is passionate about. The experience from the Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair enables Morrow to continue to share her work and passion. “I love talking to people and getting to explain what I do,” Morrow said, “People’s reactions to my work are always really exciting. I’m largely a painter, so having something easily sellable like printed shirts and pottery makes my work accessible, and that makes me really happy.”
Art majors aren’t the only students the fair is supplying opportunities to. Emma Podobinski ‘27 is an intern in the Community Engagement Office. The posters and promotional material were her contribution to the event. “I am focusing on a lot of design elements for my internship,” she said, “Designing the posters for the fair was a really fun and collaborative experience.”
The Christmas Arts & Crafts fair is an opportunity for the Houghton community to engage with local vendors and get into the Christmas spirit (even during finals!).★
