Wishing for the perfect gift?

Wishing Springs Gallery a great place to get gifts, gift ideas

Margaret Rost is already in the Christmas spirit.

“I just think near Christmas you are always getting ready for a big family event,” she said. “It’s the biggest gathering of the year.”

For Margaret, who handles advertising for Wishing Springs Gallery in Bella Vista, it’s the perfect time to get in the giving spirit.

“It’s a great time we give to each other,” she explained. “We don’t always do that the rest of the year.”

Wishing Springs got it’s start in 1982 when a group of artists and arts supporters leased a native oak and stone barn on County Road 40 just east of highway 71. It took more than two years of hard work and fundraising to restore the former live stock barn and turn it into a gallery sponsored by the Bella Vista Village Art Club. Today, dozens of local and regional artists and crafters exhibit there. The 501(c) (3) non-profit organization contributes to the community by donating Fine Arts and Applied Arts scholarships to local graduating high school seniors.

“We’re a gallery that’s been in operation for about 35 years,” Margaret said, proudly. “Were made up of about 50 some local artists who exhibit here. There are crafts and two dimensional art and we have woodworkers, several potters and weavers. You

name it.” The gallery itself is ready for the Christmas holiday, too. In fact, the gallery will kick off the Christmas season with a special event.

“We have a holiday open house beginning on the 24th of November,” Margaret said. “Those are three days to come by the 24th, 25th and 26th. We are open all day on the weekend after Thanksgiving. We do lots of promotions. We have lots of food and holiday beverages and lots of free things to win. We have three floors of artists. There’s a lot here to see.” Throughout most of the year, the galleries offerings are traditional. However, during the holidays many artists who sell their wares at Wishing Springs get into holiday mode and embrace the season.

“A lot of our illustrators do Christmas art,” she said. “We have several artists who paint Christmas art. We have a lot of crafters that do Christmas, too. One of our woodworkers just came in with a display of hand turned ornaments. Everybody tries to do something for the season. Upstairs we have an entire section that’s just Christmas items. We do a lot for Christmas and a lot of people contribute. All of our gifts are hand made. Christmas is the perfect time of year to give a hand made gift and we have lots of those here.” Margaret already has her gift giving plan ready to go. She plans to put a very personal spin on her Christmas gifts.

“I love to cook,” she said. “I love the baked goods. Giving those as gifts is important.”