DOWAGIAC — In an effort to strengthen family and community connections, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians will host its annual Holly Fair and Art Extravaganza.

The public is invited to attend The Gwikwé’amen Holly Fair and Art Extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Dowagiac Middle School, 57072 Riverside Dr., Dowagiac. Two years ago, the Art Extravaganza, an annual holiday craft show, which has been hosted for more than 10 years, joined forces with the Holly Fair, which started in 2005. The Holly Fair acts as a family centered event. The combination of the two events served as a way to further bring families together and to share tribal artists’ creations with the local community. The event is put on by the Early Childhood Education Program, Department of Social Services and Tribal Art Review Committee.

The verb “gwikwé’amen” talks about wrapping a child in a blanket as a symbol of love and devotion, said Autumn Laraway, a Pokagon Band Early Childhood Education associate. “This comes from our hearts and the desire to take care of each other. It is our job to look out for one another, especially our children.”

As part of the Holly Fair, a bake sale will be hosted. Children can also take a picture with Santa and create their own craft.

“The reason we’ve been doing this event is to give parents and primary caregivers a chance to engage with their children at a family event around the holidays,” Laraway said.

Last year, the event attracted 150 to 200 members of the community, Laraway said. In 2017, the Pokagon Band decided to make the event open to the public to give an opportunity for all families to participate.

Intertwined with the Holly Fair, community members can also catch up on Christmas shopping through the Art Extravaganza and learn more about local tribal artists.

Angela Rice, the chairperson of the Pokagon Tribal Art Committee, has headed the last six Art Extravaganza events.

The Art Extravaganza used to be hosted at the Pokagon Community Center, but moved to the middle school last year after collaborating with the Holly Fair.

“We’ve gotten so big, and we’ve had so many more artists,” Rice said. “It was more sensible to combine with the Holly Fair as that is more kid centric. Then we can have the entire community together for it.”

Rice said there is a variety of tribal artists who have been attending the Art Extravaganza since day one, and others who will be attending for their first year.

At this year’s event, more than two dozen vendors will bring a mix of both traditional and contemporary tribal art, including pottery, painting, jewelry, beading, quill work, wood burning and quilting to the middle school.

As the community walks around, they will have the opportunity to learn more about artists’ techniques.

“Every one of the vendors is more than happy to explain their craft,” Rice said. “Being attached to the Holly Fair is a big plus, too, because they are having all the kids’ stuff there. The kids can do the make and take craft. It’s a little something for everybody.”

For Rice, her favorite part of organizing the Art Extravaganza is meeting and working with the artists. This year, at least five new tribal artists will be participating as vendors.

“Being able to grow our art community is a big plus,” she said.