Arts Center to open annual holiday shop
TROY, N.Y.» The Arts Center of the Capital Region’s annual holiday shop of handmade fine art and fine craft gifts will open this weekend, with hours throughout the holiday season.
Featuring a diverse array of unique gifts, The Shop will open at 11 a.m. Saturday, with operating hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 23. It will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, during the 35th annual Victorian Stroll.
The Shop, located inside The Arts Center of the Capital Region at 265 River St. in downtown Troy, is entirely volunteer-run, with its proceeds going directly to area artists and to the center’s fund for early childhood programming.
“The Shop provides a highly visible and respected venue for local artists and also provides an important revenue stream for The Arts Center,” said Pat Carlson, community volunteer and shop director, in a news release. “This is a win-win situation that is very gratifying, both for local artists and The Arts Center, as well as for the entire community. The ability to purchase handcrafted, well-made, oneof-a-kind items at the holidays is a treat for all.”
Artists included in the 2017 shop are Michael Beiter, Theresa Faul, Betsy Gorman, Stephanie Greek, Denise Hackert-Stoner, Alicia Herrmann, Sister Loretta Hoag, MaryAnn Hoffay, Beth Joslin, Kathy Klompas, Francine LaFlamme, Mary LaFleur, Kathryn Larsen, Linda London, Kenneth Miller, Brunhilde Miller, David Mobley, Katie Nare, Brian Rafferty, Shasha Dubodel, Michelle Rodda, Danielle Seiderer, Jim Schlemmer, Dana Sela, Sharon Silversmith, Kim Tateo, Erin White and Janet Wright. All live or work in the Capital Region, and many either teach or learn at The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
Faul, a longtime stained glass artist, sells affordable ornaments, as well as unique lamps, while LaFleur, a pottery instructor, sells handmade tableware created from slabs of clay. Gorman was a participant in the Business of Art, the Arts Center’s year-long professional development program, and her new line of notecards were inspired by what she learned in the program.
“By shopping at the Arts Center, you are investing in local artists, as well as The Arts Center as an important resource for artists and the community,” Elizabeth Reiss, CEO of The Arts Center of the Capital Region, said in the release. “I hope to see you there.”
Founded in 1962, The Arts Center of the Capital Region has 36,000 square feet of studio, exhibition, and performing arts space that serves 48,000 people each year from a 10-county region. The Arts Center is known for its wide range of classes for adults and children, arts camps for children and teens, acclaimed exhibitions and performances and funding and technical support for arts organizations and artists.