The Idle Class Holiday Art Sale Round-up 2015

WORDS / KODY FORD

The holidays are here and gifts can be tricky sometimes.  Gadgets, clothing, electronics.  It’s a lot of fuss and fight to make your way through the crowds to get that hot item.  So why not blow off the big box stores and shop local.  Extremely local.  Buy some art.  We have a round up of art sales in Arkansas.  Check it out:

21st Annual Holiday Art Show
Date:  Nov. 7, 2015 – Jan. 9, 2016
Location:  Gallery 26 (off Kavanaugh in Little Rock)
http://ow.ly/V4bR7 
Gallery 26 presents their 21st Annual Holiday Art Show with works by over 60 Arkansas artists, including paintings, drawings, pottery, photographs, glass, sculpture, ornaments, scarves, and jewelry.  This year’s participating artists:  Stephen Cefalo, Mike Church, Joshua Asante, the late Amy Edgington, Sulac & many more.

Fayetteville Underground
Location:  Fayetteville Underground
Dates:  Nov. 27, 9 am – 9 pm; Nov. 28 9 am – 9 pm; & Nov. 29 12 noon – 6 pm
www.fayettevilleunderground.com

This is a huge 3-day sale.  Come see the work of many local artists not regularly exhibiting at the Fayetteville Underground! Look for a lot of surprises including the fascinating wood and fabric wall hangings of Nancy Harris (see above).  Also, they’ll have work by Octavio Logo – master bookbinder, muralist and graphic novel illustrator from Mexico City. Logo will be demonstrating his handmade books and bookbinding technique. He has also brought artwork of friends from Oaxaca which will be part of the Black Friday Sale.

Eureka Springs Art Bazaar
Location:  Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center
Dates:  Nov. 28, 10 am – 5 pm
https://www.facebook.com/Eurekaspringsartbazaar

This year’s Art Bazaar will be hosting the region’s most gifted artists and craftspeople at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. Bring two non-perishable food items or $3 for admission. Food items will benefit the Flint Street Food Pantry. Find the perfect unique gift for those special persons on your list this Christmas.  Contact katebaerfossils@yahoo.com for more information.

Fine Art Christmas Sale
Location:  Arts Center of the Ozarks
Date:  Dec. 1 – 15, 9 am
http://ow.ly/V32mf

Give the gift of art this year! ACO is installing works by eight regional artists to promote buying orginal and local art for the holidays. Come in anytime from December 1st through the 15th and view works by:  Angela Teeter (Mixed Media), Whitney A Johnston (Mixed/watercolor & Ink), Johnathan Harris (Acrylic),  Jeanie Wyant (Textile), Linda Cullers (Jewelry), Meredith Mashburn (Photography), Eve Smith (Mixed Media), & Billy Shayne (Designer)

Holiday Open House
Date:  Dec. 4, 6-9 pm
Location:  M2 Gallery
http://ow.ly/VuTd6
M2 Gallery, located at 11525 Cantrell Road, is packing their walls with TONS of art and offering savings up to 50% OFF!  Food, drinks and floor to ceiling artwork.

UALR’s Annual Holiday Art Sale
Date:  Dec. 4, 12 – 8 p.m., & Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location:  UALR Applied Design Facility – University Plaza, Suite 300 (The corner of University Ave. and Asher Ave. – next to Big Lots)
http://bit.ly/6x6previewholidaysale

The annual Art Department Holiday Sale will feature truly unique work by UALR art students, alumni and faculty. Come shop their selection of original paintings, photographs, drawings, prints, pottery, sculpture, wood objects, furniture, jewelry and fiber pieces. This is your chance to purchase some of the best holiday gifts Little Rock has to offer from both established artists and up-and-coming students. Admission is free on Friday and Saturday and there will be plenty of free parking.

The Holiday Art Sale
Dates:  Dec. 4 – 6
Location:  Studio 545 at (545 W. Center St. in Fayetteville)
http://ow.ly/V34to

Formerly the Block Street Art Sale, this is the granddaddy of them all in NWA.  This fantastic event is small-scale but high on quality.  Look for hand made art paper, fine woven rugs, art pottery, handmade leather baby boots and more.  Featuring artists like Sabine Schmidt, Don House, Michelle Berg Vogel, Alice Mayo McKee & more.

Little Craft Show
Dates:  Dec. 4 & 5, 9 am
Location:  Fayetteville Town Center
www.littlecraftshow.com

The Little Craft Show has blown up over the last five years.  They bring in artists and artisans from around the state and the midwest.  Friday night is a preview event that sold out last year and had lines stretching around the block like a Taylor Swift Concert.  Saturday is a nonstop day of excitement as well.

Look for 90 jaw-dropping makers from across the USA, a free Photo Booth sponsored by Whole Foods, local eateries (Including Greenhouse Grille, Onyx Coffee, Mary’s Little Sweets, and more!), giveaways from each vendor, a VIP Friday shopping experience sponsored by Greenhouse Grille, a cash bar and all of your favorite locals all under one roof!!  Friday night shopping is a ticketed event.

The Little Craft Show is an art and craft experience unlike any other. With it’s large scale venue, juried indie craft-artists, small-town feel, phenomenal music, and delightful decor, The Little Craft Show strives to seek out and provide the best of the best for both its vendors and patrons. Expect high-quality, handmade products and the cutest booths you’ve ever seen.

ARTansas Presents: A Cultured Christmas
Date:  Dec. 5, 3 pm
Location: ARTansas Gallery (207 NE 2nd St. in Bentonville)
http://ow.ly/V34OJ

Gift-giving season is upon us, and we all know what that means. Everywhere we turn, we will be met with ad campaigns convincing us that the key to our loved ones’ hearts can be found inside the latest electronic gimmick. Don’t be fooled by the microchips. On December 5th, restore your gift-giving spirit and join ARTansas at their new gallery in downtown Bentonville for music, food, drink and an arts showcase highlighting many rising stars of the scene – just in time for the holiday season.

Featuring work by:  Kenneth Siemens – Lefty Eyeball, Brandon Bullette, Chad Maupin – Big Bot Design, Dayton Castleman – Dayton Castleman Studio, Joelle Storet, Tom Edwards, Taylor Shepherd, Caleb Quin, Olivia Trimble – Sleet City Signwriting, Dillon Dooms – Doomsday Graphics, Jaquita Ball, Jarrod Hunt – Dirty Hippie Laundry, Becki Lamascus, & Spencer Ordonez

ARTansas wants additional artists to showcase and sell their artwork. If you have interest in becoming a participant, please send email at artansasproject@gmail.com!  Don’t gift your cousin yet another Bluetooth speaker. Give a gift that doesn’t need updates!

Art of the Bar:  A Handmade Holiday Market
Date:  Dec. 13, 4 – 9 PM
Location:  South on Main
http://ow.ly/V32Ir

This festive event returns to bring a little Christmas cheer to Little Rock.  They have Festive Cocktails crafted by Barman David Burnette, Christmas Carols from Bonnie Montgomery & Amy Garland, & Holiday Treats from Chef Matthew Bell.

And of course, they feature great works from Arkansas artists and artisans like:  Amber Perrodin,  American Native Goods, Bang-Up Betty, Bathhouse Soapery, Crow & Arrow Jewelry, Electric Ghost Printing, McClaren Woodshop, Meggie Green, Noble Jewelry, Pheasant Press, PostModern Press, Robinson Lane, Roll & Tumble Provisions, Sally Nixon & Stephunny Says.

Featured image courtesy of the Little Craft Show