The Village Arts Market at the Twin Steeples

Shopping at the Steeples

Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center Unveils its inaugural Village Arts Market

Jyl Benson

“Flight to New Orleans,” by surrealist Loveday Funck, who is just one of the nationally-beloved artists who will be featured at the inaugural Village Arts Market.

Image courtesy of TSCAC.

This fall, Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center (TSCAC)—Ponchatoula’s newly-opened arts organization and destination— will host its inaugural Village Arts Market, the newest juried arts market in the South. TSCAC is, itself, a work of art composed of two steepled historic churches-cum-galleries—the intimate Gallery 1893 and the majestic Gallery 1901—that were physically moved in 2021 to face each other across an outdoor pavilion surrounded by a garden. The arts center often hosts visual and performing artists.

The market will feature more than fifty vendors of fine arts and crafts.

Featured artists include jeweler Betsy Meyers, painters Nancy Susaneck and Loveday Funck, sculptor Rebecca Burt, and woodcarver John Green. There will be live music on three stages during the two-day event—which will also feature favorite area food trucks—Fire King, Louisiana Beignets, Cajun Trinity, and NOLA Mia Pizza.

The arts market is the brainchild of Lee Barends, a board member responsible for booking the center’s regular musical happenings. The idea was enthusiastically embraced by community members and the board.

“We want our Village Arts Market to be a mini Three Rivers Festival (held annually in Covington) and hope each year it will build,” said TS- CAC Board President Kim Howes Zabbia. “Ponchatoula already has a reputation for treating its artists like royalty, so we think on that end, we’ll be super successful.”

TSCAC is still accepting applications from artists and craftspeople. “We want the real thing,” said TS- CAC Executive Director Erin Wallace.

The Twin Steeples Village Arts Market will be open Friday, September 30 from noon–5 pm and Saturday, October 1 from 9 am–5 pm. Admission is free. twinsteeples.org.