Give gorgeous (and useful) presents from DVAC’s ARTtoBUY
By Vivienne Machi, Staff Writer
If you’re looking for a unique present for that tricky friend or relative this holiday season and want to keep your money local, stop by the Dayton Visual Arts Center and pick out a gorgeous ornament, painting, wall hanging, ceramic, or piece of jewelry during the ARTtoBUY Gift Gallery.
Running from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24, the 24th annual ARTtoBUY is a fine arts and crafts gallery show and sale rolled into one. Those who attended Holiday On Ice, the ticketed preview party on Nov. 19, got first pick at the ornaments, jewelry, accessories, photography and more gifts from over 60 local artists that range in cost from $6 to $600.
> > > DVAC has a new winner with amped-up Holiday on Ice
If you stop by DVAC to take a look at the stash but don’t know where to start, executive director Eva Buttacavoli shares a few picks to give you a feel.
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Spruce up dishware or entryways with fused glass pieces
“This is a new one that I’m excited about. Artist Shelly Knupp does fused glass — glass is really burgeoning in Dayton right now. She’s new to DVAC, and she does these pieces, wall sconces and hangings. I think as a statement piece in a home and as a statement piece in a corporate lobby, these wall hangings are amazing.”
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Warm up with felt table toppers and bags
“I’m excited about this felt artist, Megan Henderson. It’s strange and weird and wonderful and luscious. These are more eclectic giftables: table-top artful sculptures, bags and more.”
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Bring the Ohio winter scenery indoors; leave the cold outside
“Jane Dippold is a collage artist who does these very quiet winter landscape collages, and we have several in the back that are simply gorgeous. I love the quiet Ohio pastoral feel they have.”
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Give the sink or table a pop of color
“Shiela Batista is a new ceramic artist. I love the stoppers: you can use them as a soap dispenser or for oil and vinegar, and I love those cups with the little cute handles on them. You can use those for everything.”
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“Stephanie Bieser’s pieces are Raku ceramics (a form of Japanese pottery traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies). This is different from the other ceramics, as it’s wood-fired with wood ash, while the others are fired in a kiln. These are beautiful objects.”
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Even cutting boards and glassware don’t have to be boring
“Glen Clark’s cheeseboard and salt and pepper shakers are made out of such beautiful wood. And artist Nadine Saylor is so much fun. These glass decanters are beautiful, and would be great as a wedding gift.”
As pieces are sold, the gift gallery will be switched around with new pieces to freshen the displays, and artists will be continually bringing new pieces in, Buttacavoli said.
And three artists — Rachel Goetz, Pat Antonick, and Kevin Tunstall — will each have limited edition works featured in a weekend-long trunk show.
“We’re doing three trunk shows, that will highlight new additions for three artists,” Buttacavoli said. “The pieces that they bring in will only be there for three nights, and then it’s gone. They can’t sell them anywhere else; it’s a limited edition.”
WANT TO GO?
What: 24th annual ARTTOBUY Holiday Gift Gallery
When: Nov.20-Dec. 24. Gallery is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Where: Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.
Trunk Shows
Three pop-up experiences of art and design. Three artists presenting new, limited-edition work. Three Thursday night opening parties. Each three days only. Curated by Eva Buttacavoli.
Outside the Heart Limited Edition Fantasy Glass Jewelry by Rachel Goetz
Opening Party Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m., runs Dec. 4-5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Quirky Cool Ornament & Desktop Robots by Pat Antonick
Opening Party Dec. 10, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., runs Dec. 11-12, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Blooms in Sgraffito, New Designs in Porcelain by Kevin Tunstall
Opening Party Dec. 17, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., runs Dec. 18-19 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
More info: daytonvisualarts.org | Facebook