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An Easy Artsy Holiday Gift & Market Guide
An Easy Artsy Holiday Gift & Market Guide
By Joann Renner
Art is one of the easiest ways for you to give unique gifts, and not just original work. Prints are a budget-friendly option, and they don’t have to be framed to give as a gift. Nearly all artists I know offer prints. Other options artists offer are stickers, greeting cards that are handmade or printed, zines (handmade small magazine-like pieces popular with the younger crowd), t-shirts with original designs, tree ornaments, even coffee table books.
It’s a fun and festive way to support local artists and it will be a far more memorable gift than a pack of socks. Of course, you could include a pack of stickers with those socks, just a thought!
But first, I did find another Free Little Art Gallery and Library that recently opened. It is located on Gerber Ave. in the Brighton Heights neighborhood. I didn’t find a website for them yet, probably too soon, but their Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/little_free_gerber_gallery/ . Like the others that I highlighted before, you can take art and leave art for free, and it also has a free library for sharing books. The caretakers have installed lights so it can be seen at night, which I love.
Photo credit for both pictures: IG @little_free_gerber_gallery
These tiny galleries and libraries are extremely popular and I hope to see more of them all over the region.
And now for our Easy Artsy Holiday Gift & Market Guide 2023 edition!
For this holiday season, our Guide will be fairly short, but a more comprehensive guide is planned for 2024. Be sure to follow this blog so you don’t miss it.
Like I mentioned before, artists offer all kinds of items other than original paintings, sculptures, photography, and fine crafts. Some even offer private lessons, commissions, online workshops and memberships in addition to prints, stickers, cards, coffee mugs and books. If you’ve found some favorite artists to follow, check out their websites or even DM them on Instagram or Facebook and see what they offer. All sales are deeply appreciated by any artist, whether beginning or well-established, and it feels good to support local businesses.
Some galleries and neighborhoods are hosting holiday markets, always an easy way to get out of the four walls to enjoy some small business shopping. Some might even be in your neighborhood!
The Peoples Gas Holiday Market in Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh
https://downtownpittsburghholidays.com/holiday-market/
This is likely the most well-known and popular holiday market in our area. Located in historic Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh, it is similar to the European and particularly the German Christmas Markets (Christkindlmarkts). Each vendor is setup in a separate wooden booth that looks like it came from the Swiss Alps, fully lit and easy to shop. Santa is there for the kids too and plenty of live entertainment.
There’s a wide variety of handmade items like jewelry, perfumes, treats (strudel and hot pretzels yum!), ornaments, fine art, leather goods, ethnic crafts and art, fair trade handmade items, sculptures, religious items, studio glass, and so much more. Every vendor is a local small business/artist/artisan.
They will be open through Christmas Eve.
Photo credit for both pictures: website https://downtownpittsburghholidays.com/holiday-market/
Vestige Concept Gallery-Holiday Market
Located in the Upper Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, at 5417 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201, Vestige Concept Gallery features a variety of artists with exhibitions and special events like their upcoming holiday market “Home Is Where the Art Is.” I didn’t see a specific date, but you can contact them to get more information. It looks like an ongoing event for the holidays. They also arrange commissioned work and help clients find specific work for their projects. I have heard only good things about them from artist friends of mine, not an easy thing to accomplish.
They also have a virtual gallery for easy shopping at home. Nice for when the weather is crappy outside!
* I did just learn that they are planning to close the gallery very soon. I don't have a date but please reach out to them for more specific information.
Ron Donoughe, Plein Air Artist
Ron Donoughe is a well-respected and popular plein air artist based in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh. Plein air painting refers to painting directly from life, like you may see artists portrayed in media as outside painting a scene on location rather than in a studio. It is a refreshing way to paint when you just want to get outdoors. It often has a more immediate feel to it because time is restricted so the artist must work more quickly.
He has been painting for 30 years, and often has open studio times. This is where you can visit the working studio and buy directly from the artist. He is a regular exhibitor in the Pittsburgh area, and he has a new limited edition book published titled “The Ways of Pittsburgh” now available through his online store along with his previous book, “90 Neighborhoods”, featuring a painting of each of Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods.
These would be perfect gifts for any new or long-time resident!
Photo credit: Ron Donoughe website-online store
Petrichor Pittsburgh Magazine
https://petrichorpittsburgh.com/
This brand new magazine, launched in 2023, covers the entire Pittsburgh region arts scene including established venues and emerging ones. Articles examine current trends, exhibition reviews, and essays on art-related issues. It’s definitely worth looking into and something that Pittsburgh arts needed!
Classes and Workshops
If you are looking for a gift that won’t get dusty or just aren’t really sure what kind of art someone special might like, try giving a creative class or workshop. You can find a huge variety throughout the area at so many galleries, artist collectives, non-profit groups, even some of your favorite artists, photographers, and fine craft artisans that you follow might offer them. And don’t forget to try something for yourself too. Learning new skills does wonders for the soul!
Here is a short list to get you started:
Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media
They regularly have a varied group of classes and workshops, even camps for kids of all ages. The list changes all the time, so check to see what piques your interest. They are located at the intersection of Shady Ave. and Fifth Ave. in Shadyside. Enjoy the grounds and the Phipps Conservatory facility while you’re there too. There are also exhibitions, shop and artist facility rentals. They did host a Winter Holiday Market but I missed it for this post.
Pittsburgh Glass Center
https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/
Now this is something I would love to try-glass making. These folks have built a national and international reputation for being a premier teaching facility for glass making and glass blowing. They have classes on a continuous basis and exhibitions, but will be closed until Feb. 2, 2024 due to major construction at the facility. They are located at 5472 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
One unique option they have is a sensory-friendly open house next spring, so that might be something to consider visiting if event sensory-overload is a concern for loved ones.
Gift cards are available, check their website for more info.
Mark Rengers Gallery
https://markrengersgallery.com/
The Mark Rengers Gallery is located at 604 Beaver St, Sewickley PA 15143, which is the former site of the Sewickley Gallery and Frame Shop. They have a full service gallery with custom framing and exhibitions, and they are starting a youth art program soon.
One of the current exhibitions that is soon ending is “Small Works”, where all artworks are less than 12 inches in size and prices are less than $500. This is an excellent opportunity to score some top-notch original art for reasonable prices.
Photo credit: Mark Rengers Gallery email
Clay Pittsburgh
Instagram: @claypittsburgh
https://linktr.ee/claypittsburgh
Clay Pittsburgh is a nonprofit that merged with the Pittsburgh Ceramics Collective. They are on a mission to support clay artists and ceramicists by offering educational services, artist services and exhibitions while supporting diversity and inclusion.
They are associated with the Touchstone Center for Crafts, offering classes, workshops, gifts for sale, exhibitions, gift cards, and they have a YouTube channel. https://linktr.ee/touchstonecenterforcrafts .
Contemporary Craft
https://contemporarycraft.org/
Contemporary Craft is a fine craft organization located at 5645 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201 and is easily accessible from the street level. This is a new building, with amazing lighting and facilities. They offer workshops, exhibitions, facility rentals, group programs, and a Rabbit Laser Machine rental. They are devoted to building opportunities for all, with social justice and diversity inclusion in mind, including for age and abilities. All are welcome to participate, and if cost is an issue, scholarships for workshops are available. All craft mediums are explored such as fiber arts, clay, wood, and so much more. The facility is gorgeous and well-worth the visit!
From their website: “Contemporary Craft fosters the use of traditional craft materials such as ceramic, fiber, glass, metal and wood to make art. Our community honors the history and heritage of craft, while showcasing modern, exploratory work.”
Photo credit: Contemporary Craft website About page, ©2020 Ed Massery
This is only a fraction of what’s available for art-related gift giving ideas! Feel free to read previous blog posts on Tarasa Hurley’s website for more shopping ideas and places to find that awesome unique artsy gift and…
Follow #ShopSmall, #ArtistsSunday and #SmallBusinessSaturday and please support these wonderful entrepreneurs, and not just for the holidays.
*I don’t use AI for any of my writing or artwork, it’s all me.
Post is sponsored by Tarasa Hurley, Realtor, for all of your real estate needs.
* All writing is completely done by me without AI assistance.
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