As soon as Halloween is over it seems it is time to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This evening there are two opportunities to support local artists and get some Christmas shopping accomplished. The Holiday Art Market at the Powerhouse and the UM Department of Art and Art History Holiday Art Sale and Auction will be showcasing local art and the artists who create it.

The Department of Art and Art History at the University of Mississippi is hosting its annual, Holiday Art Sale and Auction to benefit art students and Gallery 130 at the University.

This party will take place tonight at the Jackson Avenue Center. The event will kick off with cocktails from 4-6 p.m., and the auction will occur between 7-9 p.m. This is a great way to support the University and the students they are training and guiding in their future careers as artists.

Gallery 130 is a gallery space that spotlights the work of the students and gives them experience in staging exhibits. Having seen many shows in the gallery, I can say that this space is worth supporting.

Art by professors and local artists Robert Malone and Phillip Jackson will be up for auction, as well as art from many other talented artists. Also present will be select vendors who will be exhibiting and selling their work.

Art will be available in several ways including by direct sale, live and silent auctions.

Catering will be provided by Party Waiting to Happen.

At the Powerhouse, the Holiday Art Market will be in full swing beginning tonight through Sunday.

Vendors will be selling art, crafts and hand-made artisan quality gifts.

There is an opening party tonight from 5-6 p.m. Market hours are until 8 p.m. tonight, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be hand-made soap, wood-turned items, pottery, ornaments, cards, custom gifts, paintings, hand sewn items from several vendors, knitted goods, leather work and so much more.  Over 20 artists will be displaying and selling their wares at this annual holiday market that typically is held in December but was moved to an earlier weekend this year to give customers a chance to get a head start on their shopping lists.

While you are there, notice the art on the walls. The Annual Biggest Baddest Art Show by the Oxford Artists’ Guild is full of work created by its many members and will be on display for the rest of the month and most of December.

So if you are looking for something hand-made, original and locally made, both of these events are worth attending.

The event at the Jackson Avenue Center will only be held tonight, so make sure you do not miss that, and be sure you visit the Powerhouse to get first dibs on the market offerings.

Support local artists this holiday season and our local economy by shopping local.

ANDI BEDSWORTH is owner of Art To Go, which brings free art opportunities to children in the community.