Riverfront Arts Center Hosts Holiday Reception to Boost Local Makers

The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts will present its Third Friday art reception on Friday December 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening is presented by PNC Arts Alive and will include live music by SJ Musicians, featuring Jody Janetta and Clint Rhubert. The event is part of the center's ongoing effort to connect residents with local creative work and to sustain artists during the busy holiday season.

Visitors will find the Main Gallery hosting the annual holiday market Artful Giving, offering handmade jewelry, ceramics, knits, ornaments and original paintings through December 31. The Witt Gallery continues to showcase the Associate Artist Show Winners 2024 with individual exhibits from Sandra Koberlein, Charles Branigan, Mary Ann Kline and Betty Fernandez. The Atrium Gallery will display a tree decorated by the Countryside Garden Club, and the center maintains a year round gift shop stocked with locally made items.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special holiday hours available to accommodate seasonal schedules. Residents are encouraged to check rrcarts.com for details on artist opportunities, upcoming community events and any changes to hours or programming.

For Cumberland County, this program contributes to more than seasonal cheer. Local arts programming provides social connection that can mitigate isolation during winter months and creates direct economic opportunities for independent artists and small makers. Bringing foot traffic to downtown Millville supports adjacent small businesses and helps sustain a vibrant public square. Ensuring access to arts events is also an equity concern, as barrier free programming and outreach can expand participation across income levels and neighborhoods.

As communities plan winter services and cultural investments, partnerships between arts organizations and local funders can strengthen public health outcomes and local economies. Residents seeking a culturally rich, accessible way to support regional creativity will find the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts a focal point of holiday activity through the end of the year.