Artists Deb Sherwin (left), Katie Foster and Jane Scheffler were among the many other local artists whose work showed at the Osoyoos Art Gallery’s Artistans Market last summer. The gallery is adopting a similar format for its Christmas Artisan Market, adding Christmas decorations, of course. (Richard McGuire file photo)
This year’s Christmas show at the Osoyoos Art Gallery will be more like the show in the summer than like those of winters past.
This year it will be called the Christmas Artisan Market, said curator Sue Whittaker, noting that it switches up the format from previous years when it was known as Festive Treasures.
Like the Artisan Market that ran this year from late May to late August, there will be “stalls” or areas around the gallery for individual artists to showcase their work in one place, said Whittaker.
“So everybody’s work is kept together,” she said. “You don’t have to wander around the gallery looking for an artist’s work. It’s like a market where everybody has their own space.”
Like the summer show, 31 individual artists and artisans will have their own spaces, she said, noting that when the concept was tried in the summer it was a big success.
The gallery will also be more overtly decorated in a Christmas theme.
“It will definitely be a Christmas market,” said Whittaker, noting that many items will be set at prices making them affordable as Christmas gifts.
There will also be some high-priced artistic works, she added, since some people are looking for very special Christmas gifts.
Whittaker thinks that presenting the show as a “market” will help to draw in some people who might be intimidated by a “gallery.”
“It takes away some of that gallery fear that some people have,” she said. “Some people just don’t want to go into a gallery because they feel that they’re going to get themselves into a situation that they know nothing about, that it’s going to be too highfalutin or snobby or whatever. But when you call it a market, it enables people to feel comfortable about coming in.”
The market will feature pottery, paintings, quilting, glasswork and other arts and crafts, but all of a high quality, said Whittaker.
Most of the artists and artisans have shown at the gallery before and all work is juried to ensure it is of sufficient quality and is well presented.
As in past years, there will be a tree with decorations on it for sale.
This year also adds a “fireplace” to the gallery, although the “fire” will be twinkling lights rather than an actual flame.
An open house is being held Saturday with refreshments from noon to 4 p.m.
Additionally, there will be Sip ‘n’ Shop events from 5 to 7 p.m. during extended hours on Dec. 10 and 17, with wine provided by Adega on 45th Estate Winery.
Whittaker said invitations will be sent to businesses encouraging employees to attend the Sip ‘n’ Shop events, making them feel welcome to come for some last-minute shopping.
Otherwise, regular winter hours will be in effect unless otherwise posted.
The Osoyoos Art Gallery is now open winter hours of noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. It is located at 8713 Main Street, just west of Town Hall.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
