Here are seven can’t-miss holiday gift shows that feature the works of local artists and craftspeople.
1 — Friends of Freeland Arts and Crafts Benefit Sale
Holiday shopping starts early at Freeland Hall for the famous Friends of Freeland Arts and Crafts Benefit Sale. The sixth annual three‐day event features the work of more than 30 Whidbey Island artisans, representing diverse media such as ceramic tableware, shibori scarves, hand‐woven wraps and table‐runners, bows and arrows for children and adults, hand‐bound books, Native American instruments, body‐care products, fine jewelry, wind chimes, wreaths, paintings and prints, note cards, handblown glass, garden art, ornaments, and books by award‐winning local authors.
Take a rest to get a cup of coffee and a cookie or savory treat, and take home a pre-holiday baked delight.
Keep it local and avoid the traffic and the malls while supporting local artists and the community at the sale; 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. For more info call, 331-1224.
2 — Raven Rocks Gallery Holiday Gifts
Raven Rocks Gallery at Greenbank Farm celebrates the holidays with gifts that feature the “art of warm.” Find artist-made hats, scarves and wrist-warmers, hand-dyed yarns and roving for those who make their own creations, or small fiber button bowls, grinning scrumble creatures, fantasy house prints, deep red soft hearts, as well as framed original art and prints; handwoven purses, semi-precious stone necklaces and earrings, painted moonsnail shells, dream catchers, treasure keeper pouches and leather medicine bags.
The excitement of handmade lovingly crafted items and the joy of thoughtful gift giving abounds with one-of-a-kind pieces to last a lifetime. Come discover the treasure trove of gift-giving at Raven Rocks Gallery from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Visit the Web site at www.ravenrocksstudio.com for more.
3 — Greenbank Farm Holiday Market
Join in the celebration of the season when Greenbank Farm opens its annual Holiday Market in the main barn with hand-crafted jewelry, artwork, outdoor furniture and garden art, sculptures, home baked goods, handmade clothing, housewares, photography, candy, jams and jellies, glasswork and more. Each weekend brings new vendors, music and Santa Claus.
Opening day is Friday, Nov. 27 when musician Vern Olsen will start the entertainment at 4 p.m. in the main barn while revelers snack on cookies. Santa will ride in to celebrate at 5 p.m., courtesy of the Central Whidbey Fire Department, and will sit down next to the Christmas tree in front of the fire at the Jim Davis House to talk to the children and hear about what they would like for Christmas.
The holiday market will continue every weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Christmas day.
For more information call 360-678-7700.
4 — Open Door Gallery + Coffee Gift Show
The Open Door Gallery + Coffee rings in the holiday season with a show that encourages everyone to give the gift of shopping locally. The gift show features Robbie Lobbell and Maryon Attwood’s pottery, Meredith Mcloed’s glass platters, Dan Ishler’s pottery, Marcy Johnson’s scarves, Vinosus Jewelry, Dog-Eared Books, Susanne Newbold’s gourd vessels, Bruce Launer’s wood cutting boards, tables and trains, and handmade ornaments, holiday cards and various other special trinkets by a variety of island artists.
The gift show is from Dec. 3 to Jan. 10. with more than 30 Island artists. An opening reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
During a Dec. 5 Holiday Open House at Bayview Corner, Lobell and Attwood will demonstrate various cooking techniques and make pizza with Attwood’s platters that can be put directly on the grill or under the broiler. “Taste 4 Wines” will be on hand to pair wines with the pizza.
Visit opendoorgallery.blogspot.com for more.
5 — Rob Schouten Gallery Holiday Shopping
This holiday season Rob Schouten Gallery at Greenbank Farm offers an exciting range of beautiful original art including exquisite silver and pearl jewelry by Barbara Mundell, hand-woven silk scarves by Cyndi Wolfe, distinctive metal art by Jon-Paul Dowdell, handblown glass by Janis Swalwell and Robert Adamson, bronze sculptures by Colin Lambert, Sharon Spencer and Jeff Day, unique willow wall sculptures by Kathleen Otley, as well as gorgeous paintings and prints by Pete Jordan, Anne Belov, Rebecca Collins, Mark Van Wickler and Rob Schouten.
The holiday show runs through December when it will be open every day. Call 222-3070 for details.
6 — MUSEO Annual Gift Show
MUSEO’S Annual Gift Show features perfectly priced local art for holiday gift-giving. The gallery is filled with decorative ornaments, colorful scarves and hand-made jewelry, as well as smaller paintings and sculptures.
December also spotlights Tony Turpin’s paintings which reveal the extraordinary nature of landscapes in his realistic acrylicworks. Bringing a painterly sophistication to common images of boats, barns and back roads, the artist hopes viewers find a different way of looking at the familiar. Here is an artist who’s purpose is to explore both the process of making paintings and the visual world in which we live.
The show runs through Dec. 31 with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. during First Saturday Artwalk in Langley, Dec. 5. Visit www.museo.cc for more info.
7 — Brackenwood Gallery Holiday Fare
Holiday fare is also available at Langley’s newest gallery and its debut show “Reflections.” As requested most of the featured artists submitted smaller, more affordable pieces such as Georgia Gerber’s regal “Kestrel,” Joan Govedare’s glazed pots, Anne Belov’s painting “Reflecting Summer,” and Sharon Spencer’s “nests” to name a few. Brackenwood Gallery also carries handmade everyday and holiday cards, as well as fabric art and and exquisite jewelry items. Also featured will be the colorful and enigmatic paintings of Michel Tsouris.
A special reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. during the First Saturday Artwalk in Langley, Dec. 5. Goodies will be ready to munch along with a great selection of fine artistic gifts. Visit the Web site at www.brackenwoodgallery.com.
