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Visual Arts

Local artisans have your holiday shopping covered

Durango Arts Center’s Winter Solstice market offers thousands of items for that special someone

Walking into the Barbara Conrad Gallery at the Durango Arts Center for the Winter Solstice Artisans’ Market, it is not the classy jazz, or the decorated Christmas tree or the enormity of thousands of handmade items that hit you strongest. It’s the smell of freshly trimmed boughs of pine, spruce and juniper that puts you immediately into that nostalgic mood of holiday cheer.

The Artisan’s Market returns this year, featuring the work of 61 regional artists and artisans, each a member of the arts center, said proud Exhibits Director Mary Puller.

What can you expect to find at the market? Everything from stained glass, jewelry, caustics, oils, watercolors, photography, wood sculpture, glass, metals, ceramics, mosaics, textiles, Puller said. And that’s not even the half of it. “There’s probably six or seven or eight different jewelers,” she said.

There are also items more on the crafty, practical, utilitarian side of things. You can find knitted items, ponchos, scarves, notecards, ornaments, calendars, tea sets, wine racks, coat racks and handmade soaps.

Shoppers might be surprised at the affordability of many of the items.

“Everything is priced to be given as gifts for the holiday,” Puller said. “I know we have things $8 and $4, all the way up to $300 and $400.”

It’s all about finding that perfect, personable, thoughtful gift of local art and handmade items for that special someone, she said.

The market will run from Friday to Dec. 24 and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be open late Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 to coincide with evening performances of “The Music Man.”

And if you needed any more enticement, on Saturday mornings at the market, you can treat yourself to coffee and homemade scones from Barb Mills while you browse.

dholub@durangoherald.com



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