Buy Local and Give Locally on Giving Night

Local arts and artists, a creative culture, small businesses, and Pittsboro’s authentic downtown are all topics we’re passionate about so you could say we’ve been glowing about Giving Night in Pittsboro since it was first proposed by Main Street Pittsboro a few months ago.

On the evening of Thursday, December 6th, several downtown Pittsboro retailers and restaurants will donate 10% of all their sales from 5:00-8:30 p.m. to selected local nonprofit organizations.

The Joyful Jewel’s proprietor, Mariah Wheeler, chose Chatham Arts Council to benefit from her sales on Giving Night. We could not be more thrilled! (YAY!) The Joyful Jewel is a gallery and gathering space for dozens of artists — many of whom live and work in Chatham. This partnership is a great fit for the CAC, given that part of our mission is to promote and support local artists. Join us and remember your gift list!

A rich variety of art, from painters, sculptors, photographers, calligraphers, jewelers, and fine crafters fills the space at 44-A Hillsboro Street. Prices at The Joyful Jewel range from a few dollars for postcards and greeting cards to hundreds of dollars for large paintings. There are gifts here for everyone.

The Joyful Jewel’s selection of books represents an array of styles and genres of renowned local authors such as Marjorie Hudson, Gary Phillips, and Ruth Moose. (Check out our previous Meet This Artist features on Gary and Ruth.) Shoppers will also find CDs by Chatham artists: Joey Howell, Sheila Fleming, and Tommy Edwards. 

Also of note for those who enjoy seeing things being made, five artists will demonstrate their work during Giving Night. For example, Vangi Cathcart will demonstrate sumi-e paintings with comparisons among the different styles of this same painting in China, Japan, and Korea. 

Belinda Hardin will be on hand to show visitors how she makes her pottery, Carolyn Townsend will demonstrate prayer beads, and Jody Jameson will demonstrate the making of her beaded jewelry. 

Singer, musician, and music teacher Marie Vanderbeck will be present on Thursday, December 6th to make our shopping experience more pleasant. 

The Joyful Jewel has thrived as a welcoming space for local and regional artists for 13 years. Even now, since it’s modest beginning next to what is now the Pittsboro Roadhouse, the store is a treasure of possibilities: a locally-owned and -operated retail space representing artists — who are small businesses in their own right — all which help nurture downtown Pittsboro as a unique and creative place.  The variety and quality of items will likely make gift givers and gift recipients very happy.

It’s the time of year when we’re encouraged to think beyond basic consumption to support  the things that are important to us and the community we love. Participating in Giving Night helps address many needs in our community. The CAC is grateful to be receiving 10% of sales from the Joyful Jewel on December 6th. We’ll use these dollars to invest in artists and educate kids through the arts. (Did you know we’ll be in all 10 traditional public elementary schools in Chatham this year?)