The Art of Christmas: Orangeburg County Fine Arts center presents holiday crafts

The event will feature Christmas and year-round ornaments and fine crafts to browse and bid on while sipping hot chocolate and enjoying specially prepared holiday appetizers from Tea Thyme.

Heather Rast, the center’s executive director and one of the festival organizers, said the support and donations of beautiful and unique crafts was far beyond anything they had imagined, not to mention the variety of vendors.

Several of the vendors are displaying their items for the first time in the Orangeburg area.

“We planned for 25 vendors and quickly reached our goal, turning some away. They are coming from across the state, and we are thrilled and excited to have so many amazing items for sale,” Rast said.

Items include jewelry, adornments, paintings, woodwork, handmade soaps, scrubs, butters and hand-dyed batik scarves by Susan Livingston.

“We have a multitude of decorative items, the perfect gift for everyone, and donated items are still coming in,” Rast added.

The Arts Center is kicking off its Art of Christmas Festival on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a silent auction featuring handmade wreaths donated by local businesses, gift baskets and highly crafted items.

Arts Center board members Jo Wyrosdick and Britney Rast Hunter led the efforts to acquire items for the silent auction.

Hunter, who is an assistant vice president with SouthState Bank, said Orangeburg businesses were generous and eager to support the arts, especially the classes offered to the youth of the county.

Hunter said she’s just about finished the wreath she is creating to give on behalf of SouthState Bank. And Rast, who is widely known for her excellent skills as a craftswoman, says she’s been very inspired, even getting up late at night to create another ornament she’s imagined.

Visitors to the Arts Center, viewing Rast’s array of decorative items, are already reserving favorites they plan to purchase during the festival.

“I’m grateful to have this God-given talent and to be able to use it for good,” Rast said, noting that gift shops in Columbia are now purchasing her high-end seasonal ornaments.

“We just want everybody to come out, bring or meet up with their family and friends and have a good time,” Hunter stated.

“We want to add to the excitement of the Christmas season. There are the City of Orangeburg Christmas lights all around the Arts Center to enjoy even before coming inside,” Hunter enthused. “And with this event, we are continuing to build our reputation for serving really good refreshments and appetizers.”

The decadent hot chocolate being served is a long-held family recipe, according to Rast.

“I hope people enjoy it as much as my family does when we get together. The ingredients are a secret,” Rast said. “But one feature is Godiva chocolate.”

The Art of Christmas Festival is a fundraising event with the goal of providing and subsidizing classes for youth and underserved residents of Orangeburg County. The $10 ticket covers entrance for all three days.

The silent auction is Thursday, Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., along with vendors’ items for sale.

Guests can shop with vendors on Friday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tickets can be reserved by contacting the Arts Center at 803-536-4074 or dropping by the center, located at 649 Riverside Drive, Orangeburg.

For additional information, email Heather Rast at hrast@orangeburgarts.org.