For those who have given friends and loved ones the same old gift every season, here are a few ideas sure to make your friends and loved ones smile – and support our community’s talented artists.
If artful items do not fit the bill, consider tickets to one of the county’s many wonderful holiday productions. Here is a sampling: “Nutcrackers” are abundant as are holiday lights shows (see last week’s CultureSpotMC.com); Paul Morella is reprising his one-man “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 30 at Olney Theatre Center for the Arts in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, while the Mainstage features “Elf the Musical” through Jan. 6 and Adventure Theatre-MTC is staging “Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas” through Jan. 6. For holiday music, Glorystar Children’s Chorus’ Winter Concert starts 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at Concord St. Andrew’s UM Church in Bethesda (240-277-7629) and the National Philharmonic will perform Handel’s “Messiah” Dec. 22 and 23 at the Music Center at Strathmore.
[/media-credit] Peter Plant, “Black Hill Early Winter,” Artists on Market
Artists on Market
Kentlands’ new pop-up art gallery and workspace, which features work by about 23 artists – who work in about 10 different mediums – also will open Thursday, Dec. 6, 5 to 8 p.m., for the Kentlands Tree Lighting. Visitors are asked to bring by hats, gloves, mittens and socks to donate to the City of Gaithersburg Holiday Giving program. There will be free hot apple cider and candy canes, and artists will teach children to cut fancy paper snowflakes.
All month, gift wrapping for purchased gifts will be offered for a donation of $5 for small gifts, $10 for medium and $15 for large. Gift tables will include $30-and-less artist-curated holiday items and $25 snow-themed items. Children can make ornaments for a $5 donation.
Address: 201 Market St. West, Kentlands, Gaithersburg
Dates/Hours: To Dec. 23: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Information: www.artistsonmarket.com
[/media-credit] Jean Hirons’ pastel “Georgetown Canal,” Artists & Makers Studios
Artists & Makers Studios
Two Rockville locations are home to more than 150 resident artists and several galleries. Artists and exhibits are curated and juried by founder and director Judith HeartSong. This month’s four separate exhibits include Liz Lescault’s “Chimerical;’ Selected works of Robert Yi; “Inspired by Frida” and “Places to Wander,” paintings by Ken Bachman and Tom Semmes.
A holiday market with Frida-themed art and merchandise will be held Dec. 7, 6 to 9 p.m., and Dec. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both locations.
Address: (1) 11810 Parklawn Drive, Rockville; (2) 12276 & 12280 Wilkins Ave., Rockville
Dates/Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., or contact artists directly to set up appointments for shopping
Information: www.artistsandmakersstudios.com
[/media-credit] Claire Howard’s “The Tide Is In,” Countryside Artisans
Countryside Artisans Holiday Gallery & Studio Tour
Find meaningful gifts of local, original, high-quality art and fine craft on this free, self-guided driving tour of artist studios/galleries through scenic countryside. The 16 destinations represent 50-plus fine visual, sculptural, textile and beverage (beer, wine, and tea) artists.
Each studio/gallery is a destination in itself — located on working farms, in renovated barns and chicken coops, or in historic buildings. Many of the galleries also show other artists’ work — typically local artists.
The Countryside Artisans of Maryland represents a juried group of accomplished visual, sculptural, textile and beverage artists working in oil, pastel, watercolor, pencil, ceramics, porcelain, glass, stone, yarn, textiles, photography, silver, enamel, hops, grapes and tea.
Address:16 locations in Montgomery, Frederick and Howard Counties
Dates/Hours: Friday-Sunday, Dec 7-9; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Information: Brochure, map and information at www.countrysideartisans.com
[/media-credit] Annual Holiday Art Show & Sale in Glen Echo Park’s Popcorn Gallery
Glen Echo Park
Holiday Art Show & Sale
Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture’s exhibit features works by resident artists, instructors, and invited artists and includes glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, crafts, holiday ornaments and more in the Park’s Popcorn & Stone galleries.
Address: 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
Dates/Hours: To Dec. 30: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday & Friday
Information: https://glenechopark.org/holidayartshow
[/media-credit] Glen Echo Pottery’s sales features more than 4,000 unique pots
Holiday Shopping at Glen Echo Pottery
Glen Echo Pottery’s sales features more than 4,000 unique pots of all kinds by 60 potters. Pieces represent a variety of forms, glaze treatments and firing effects. Most are functional, such as mugs, bowls and vases. Decorative works include raku, jewelry and holiday ornaments.
Address: 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
Dates/Hours: noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 8, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 9, 15, 16, 21-23, 29
Information: www.glenechopottery.com/
[/media-credit] Sandy Spring Museum’s resident artists offer their work at the Fine Arts & Crafts Holiday Show.
Sandy Spring Museum
Fine Arts & Crafts Holiday Show
Sandy Spring Museum’s resident artists and local artists come together to display and sell their mystical pieces. One-of-a-kind gifts include handmade jewelry, quilts and pottery.
Address: 17901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring
Dates/Hours: To Dec. 30: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Information: www.sandyspringmuseum.org
[/media-credit] Sigikids’ plush OH DEER, The Shop at Strathmore.
The Shop at Strathmore
Handmade and fine art related jewelry, textiles, stationery, children’s books, and creative kits
Address: Strathmore Mansion, 10710 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda
Dates/Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Information: www.strathmore.org, 301-581-5175
[/media-credit] Tn Nguyen’s Raku vase, Waverly Gallery.
Waverly Street Gallery
Annual Holiday Gift Show
Gallery artists present a selection of original work — ceramics, jewelry, paintings, photography, prints and sculpture.
Address: 4600 East-West Highway, #102, Bethesda
Dates/Hours: To Jan. 5, Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Dec. 7, Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Information: www.waverlystreetgallery.com, 301-951-9441
