Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s Holiday Shop offers variety of handmade gift items
The holidays are here and it’s a great time to think local while supporting a community cause.
The nonprofit Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s (BBAC) Holiday Shop, now in its 43rd year, runs from Nov. 30 through Dec. 20. The festive, local pop-up shopping experience offers a variety of handmade gift items from local artists, from jewelry to ceramics to greeting cards.
“The Holiday Shop is a superabundance of incredible artisan-made items,” says Annie VanGelderen, president and CEO of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. “The shop occupies our galleries and is beautifully presented representing almost every medium and price point. We have more than 200 participating artists. I can assure you, there is something for everyone.”
The appeal of the Holiday Shop is that everything is handmade and juried to be included in the offerings.
“We have beautiful wearables, including scarves, hats, shawls and mittens, as well as jewelry that will dazzle your finest outfit, housewares for those who are looking for the perfect hostess gift, ceramics, glass, children’s toys and knits, Judaica and the elusive men’s gifts that (are) sure to make someone happy,” VanGelderen says. “These are just a few examples but a trip would not be complete without gazing at our ornament display.”
The BBAC started the Holiday Shop as a way to showcase local artists, and over the years, it’s become a beloved destination for holiday shopping. VanGelderen says she loves “the discovery of the talented artist’s new work and how it is always evolving” each year.
The BBAC has been a fixture of the local community since 1962. The group started the popular ArtBridge program in 2006, which is designed for high school youth who are interested in pursuing a secondary education in the creative visual arts.
“The program begins with a core curriculum of drawing and painting, and then, the student can explore other mediums, such as jewelry and metals, ceramics, portraiture and animation, to name just a few,” VanGelderen says. “We also help the student prepare their portfolio for college applications, and many are paired with a mentor over the years.”
The ArtBridge program is entirely free, including all supplies for underserved youth. They also have ArtBridge in Detroit, where the BBAC provides an arts curriculum, including the instructor and supplies, to a Detroit middle school on-site at no cost to the school.
“I always say, not everyone is going to be an engineer, a nurse, a doctor, a teacher or more, but what can we do to provide an avenue for success for those who have a natural inclination to the visual arts?” VanGelderen says. “Broaden their opportunities and understand that there are viable careers and colleges that can guide you to be accomplished and happy in your choices.”