Southport Magazine

A Holiday Tradition Celebrating the Joy of the Happiest Town

BY FJ HARMON

All the Artisans from St. James are as excited as elves on Christmas Eve to share, once again, their spectacular new creations at the sixteenth Holiday Boutique in Southport, the happiest seaside town.

Festive inspiration and unprecedented shopping value will begin at the enchanting Southport Community Building, 223 East Bay Street, Southport, NC, beginning at 9:00 am thru 4:00 pm on Friday, November 13, and continuing on Saturday November 14, 9:00 am thru 4:00 pm. Each day the Boutique will offer the fun of shopping or simply browsing hundreds of exquisitely crafted creations from over sixty Artisans with nine participants offering their creations at the boutique for the first time.

The Holiday Boutique actually began eighteen years ago to raise art awareness and funds in support of art students and art teachers in Brunswick County, and this remains the central purpose for this event today. The St. James Artisans have their roots in an organization founded by Barbara Brewer in 1997, who was accustomed to turning her home into a beautifully decorated holiday shop. When she moved to St. James, she continued her habit and gathered other talented Artisans to join her in her holiday celebration of art.

This Holiday Boutique tradition continues at the scenic Community Building, where in a finely orchestrated three-hour transformation, devoted Artisans work their magic converting the Community Building into a festive department store boutique, filling the room with exquisite art, decorations, and gifts.

The art on display by our award winning Artisans captures the local charm and beauty of our coastal setting, flora, and fauna in original paintings of every medium. Prints will also be available. In addition, you will discover in spectacular high-resolution photography, breath taking panoramic seascapes, flower, and fowl, up close and stunning.

Decorations to complete your holiday joy will be abundant, festive household decorations, colorful wreaths, charming runners, and strikingly beautiful stained glass of superb design.

For gifting to all your special love ones, you will find jewelry unique as it is charming; knitted and crocheted items, whimsical and practical; shawls, scarfs, mittens, and hats; remarkable scented candles, soaps, and many, many more items will be available for purchase.

However, let’s not forget our driving purpose to raise awareness of the importance of the arts. The Artisans will be raffling beautifully fashioned baskets of art and craft items. All proceeds will be used for Brunswick County art teacher grants and student scholarships.

In addition, if you are unsure of a choice, there will be shopping assistants on the floor to assist you with your selection or any questions you might have. Check, cash, Discover, VISA, and MasterCard accepted