MARQUETTE – The City of Marquette Arts & Culture Division invites independent artists residing in Marquette County to submit their online selling information and photos of their work to be included in a holiday gift directory, “Handcrafted Holidays,” for no cost.

The Handcrafted Holidays guide serves as a free platform that offers advertising to local artists and acts as a single source for online shoppers who want handmade gifts, high quality art, and to support their local economy.

Due to COVID-19, summer art festivals and holiday craft shows were canceled.

“This stunted opportunities for both buyers and sellers, yet the demand for locally crafted goods remains high,” organizers said in a news release. “This online guide will help bridge the gap left by the loss of in-person interaction this holiday season.”

The guide is open to all art forms, including fine art, music, literary art, lessons and anything else that may offer a product/service for purchase. This guide is solely an advertising resource and artists are responsible for their own selling platform and products.

Artist submissions will be compiled and shared the first week of December via an interactive PDF that will be widely advertised, shared by local artist groups and made freely available to the public, organizer said.

Artist applications should be emailed to apruiett@marquettemi.gov. Full project and submission details are available at https://www.marquettemi.gov/departments/community-services/arts-and-culture/and on the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center Facebook page. The hard deadline for applications is Dec. 1 by 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Ameilia Pruiett at 906-225-4020 or email apruiett@marquettemi.gov.