BOUNTIFUL—Visiting art galleries has been a pastime of many people for centuries. It’s a great way to expand one’s horizons and experience life through a new lens. However, for many, that art remains hanging in the gallery, due to cost, but the Bountiful Davis Art Center (BDAC) is bringing back the Winter Art Market, and making art much more accessible in more ways than just one.

Bren Larsen, Exhibitions Director at the BDAC, and Holly Yocom, Interim Executive Director shared just a few of the things that make the 2023 Winter Art Market different from years past. For starters, visitors to the market will have the opportunity to browse through booths from 60 different vendors, many more than in the past, due to an overwhelmingly positive response. “We had to turn people away,” said Larsen, estimating that they had somewhere between 80-90 applicants. 

As such, visitors to the market can be assured that each booth and each vendor at the market is specifically curated for the market, for the region, and for the patron. What’s more, “everyone is local,” said Yocom, as Larsen emphasized that this year, the market will be “abundant and cozy.” An art market, however, can conjure up a cascade of dollar signs in the minds of many, but Yocom and Larsen shared another way the BDAC Winter Art Market is different.

In an effort to ensure that there is really something at the market for everyone, the BDAC has made sure that there’s a cap on how much each vendor can charge, meaning that there will be something in everyone’s price range this year. There’s really no better time, either, Yocom said, with the holidays right around the corner, the Winter Art Market provides “something unique and different” for people to buy as gifts for loved ones. 

With no booth fees, and the BDAC just taking a small commission, it’s really the arts helping the arts, and, in Larsen’s words, “empowering to give artists a place to showcase their work.” With help from sponsors like Pathway Associates, it’s bound to be an outstanding event, including one-of-a-kind ornaments being made specifically for the event by each vendor. That’s not all that’s on the docket for the holiday season at the BDAC either.

Longtime residents will be excited to hear that the Gingerbread house competition is making a comeback this year, sponsored by Lindquist Mortuary, and the city of Bountiful itself, using money from the RAP tax. “We are so grateful,” said Yocom when speaking about the sponsors this year. The event itself promises to be something special as well, thanks to the efforts of the BDAC staff, and their sponsors.

As in years past, residents of all ages will be encouraged to submit their creative gingerbread designs to the competition which, this year, will be judged by the Bountiful City Mayor, and members of the City Council. For those still wanting to compete, but who are a little less than confident working in the gingerbread medium, there is hope. Two courses, taught by gingerbread artisan Emily Farmer will be offered, one on Nov. 25, and the other on Nov. 28. Houses created during these workshops will be eligible for submission.

Despite a prominent location right on Main Street, “Not everyone knows the BDAC is here,” said Yocom, adding that they hope the Winter Art Market begins to change that. “There’s really nothing quite like it in Davis County.” Both events will certainly offer an opportunity to kick off the holiday season here in Davis.

While these events will be run simultaneously, the timing for each varies. The Winter Art Market will kick off with a party the evening of Nov. 17, with live music, food, and more, and will run during regular operating hours, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. 

The Gingerbread Festival, however, will start Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the houses on display from Dec. 2 through Dec. 9. More details on both the Winter Art Market, the entire list of vendors, as well as details on the Gingerbread Festival are available at the website for the BDAC at https://www.bdac.org, or on their social media channels.