West Point Holds Holiday Showcase

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) — As merchants in downtown West Point offered discounts and deals for early shoppers Sunday afternoon, the arts council gave artists and authors a chance to showcase their unique talents.

“This is kicking off our Christmas holiday season. We have all artists here who make a variety of stuff from Clay County and West Point,” says Souzen Steelhammer, Board member on the West Point Clay County Arts Council.

The Louise Campbell Center for the Arts hosted the annual Artists and Authors showcase in downtown West Point. Local artists displayed their unique creations for holiday shoppers looking for something different.

“There are a lot of people who have enough of everything but they don’t have a pine needle basket, a matchstick basket or gourd basket so it would make an excellent unusual gift,” says Bessie Johnson, a long-time basket weaver.

“I think West Point has many talented artists and writers. I came actually to find birthday presents because my family’s having a birthday party tonight. We’re covering five birthdays,” says shopper Pat Cantrelle, an art lover.

Some of the items available included paintings, jewelry, books and wooden crafts. Cantrelle even traveled from out of state to attend the showcase.

“At the present time, I’m living in Illinois. I like to get things here from West Point, from Mississippi. I put them all through my house so that I can enjoy,” says Cantrelle.

The Artist and Author showcase is sponsored by the West Point Clay County Arts Council.