The holiday season welcomes several events and activities to the LOU Community and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council offers plenty during December.

One of the centerpiece events, and longest-running holiday event for YAC is the annual Holiday Ornament Auction. Originating in Oxford resident’s homes when early YAC Board members asked artists to make Christmas ornaments to sell as a way to fund community programs.

“The reason why I think the ornament auction works is that everyone at the party is passionate about what’s going on,” said YAC executive director Wayne Andrews. “I think the tone of our party’s different. …It really is a very sense of community gathering, which makes the party unique and special. It’s a little silly, it’s a little fun. I think that’s why it’s thrived and why it’s continued.”

It has grown in popularity and in participation, moving the event to the Powerhouse. This year’s event will be held on Dec. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. People will be able to bid on ornaments made by local artists as well as photo opportunities with Santa, listen to live music and enjoy tastings from local restaurants and caterers.

Admission to the auction is free to YAC members or $35 for an individual and $50 for a couple.

“It’s our membership drive,” Andrews said. “Someone asked me about tickets and I was like, ‘There is no ticket. It’s free if your member so just become a member.’ So, think of buying a membership as buying a ticket.”

There will be around 100 ornaments on display for bidding. Oxford artist Lee Harper will have a diorama of the Hoka in honor of its founder, Ron “Ronzo” Shapiro, which will be available for bidding along with the other ornaments. Shapiro passed away in August after a fight with cancer.

“I think Ron’s still going to have an influence on the auction this year,” Andrews said. “It’s very cool. It’s going to be very, very competitive.”

Along with the auction, YAC is selling holiday art gift baskets for $35 at the Powerhouse and on their website. The baskets include a hand-crafted ornament by a local artist, four handmade coasters by Two Dog Designs, a tea towel by Vivian Neill of Oxford Treehouse Gallery, a 2020 calendar or handmade Mississippi magnet by Debbie Myers and “Yoktails: An Oxford Cocktail Compendium” published by the YAC.

Kicking off the holiday season is YAC’s holiday art market, running on Nov. 29 and 30 in conjunction with the Oxford Square Alliance’s Holiday Open House. It will be a pop-up market at the Powerhouse featuring local artists and others. The Breakfast With Santa event will be held on Dec. 7 and 14.

For more information regarding all the holiday events or to purchase a YAC yearly membership visit their website at oxfordarts.com