Gifts For Giving opens Nov. 19 at Studio 53

Wed, 11/11/2015 - 8:00am

Story Location:
53 Townsend Avenue
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
United States

    Holiday shoppers, beware! The three floors of artistic wares by local artists, artisans and authors in Studio 53's Gifts For Giving holiday event will dazzle.

    This annual event will be held over four days, Thursday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 22, with a gala reception on Friday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring entertainment in the guise of Aaron Robinson on harpsichord (and CDs for sale). Robinson will also play Nov. 21 8 a.m. to noon and Nov. 22 from noon to 4 p.m.

    There will be a small food station on the first and third floors. Small, mini-displays of works on the first floor will be set up on the second and third floors.

    If you've been to this event, you know. If you've never been, check out this lineup of artists and artisans around the peninsula:

    Elise Andersen, ceramics, prints and silks; Jill Butke, fiber artist and weaver, cotton and wool wearables; Helen Farnham, artist and designer, greeting cards, prints, calendars, fiber arts, hats, scarves; Barb Lally, fiber artist, Shibori dyed silk items and Christmas ornaments; Leslie Muir-Volpe, fiber artist, miniature quilts, punch needle embroidery, and fabric keepsakes; Ursula Smith, weaver, hand-woven textiles for the home; Susie Stephenson, hooked rugs; George and Naomi Whitten, hand-marbleized paper, assorted ephemera including handmade notebooks, cards and boxes;

    Donna Denniston, sculptor, original sculptures in stone, bronze and epoxy clay; Lou Landry, wood turner; Joe Norton, stone and tile tables and wall hangings utilizing stone and beach gatherings; Diana S. Kerr, decoupage artist, furniture and decorative arts painter; Jesse DeShazo, woodworker, bird houses and decorative items for home and garden; Ann Hedgcock, potter and print maker;

    Kathleen Jones, jewelry design sterling, fine silver, gold and brass designs; Rhoda Weyr, jeweler, fine jewelry designs in gold, silver, copper, gems, shells and glass, wall hangings;

    Sanny Norton, jewelry and decorative painting; Dick Macdonald, stained glass; Don Josephson, artist; Paula Ragsdale, artist and designer; Crystal Lewis & Blue Tin Farms, soap maker of luxurious, all-natural goat milk soap and lotion; livestock care specialist;

    Tom Block, artist and illustrator; two new authors are in the show, Quan Myers and Stephen D. Powell; Peter Felsenthal, author and photographer; Fred Kaplan, author, literary and historical biographies; Lea Wait, author of award-winning adult mysteries and historical novels for children; Betsy Wing, author, translator, and visual artist specializing in fiction and monotypes.

    Prepare to start ticking off names on your “Santa lists.” Leslie Volpe, a member of the artist's collective, says the event is all about art and buying locally.

    “I've had people tell me they did almost all of their shopping at Early Bird and Studio 53,” Volpe said. “They are so happy to have bought locally instead of at a mall, which is very cool!”

    Author book signing specifics

    Each of the authors will be on hand for book signings – look for them on the first floor.

    Here are the dates and times for each of the six:

    On Thursday, Nov. 19: Lea Wait, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Peter Felsenthal, 3-4 p.m.

    On Friday, Nov. 20 from 5-8 p.m.: Fred Kaplan, Betsy Wing, Quan Meyers and Peter Felsenthal; Steven D. Powell, 6-8 p.m.; and Lea Wait, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Saturday, Nov. 21: Lea Wait, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Steven D. Powell, 7-11 a.m.; Betsy Wing, 9 a.m. to noon; Quan Meyers, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Fred Kaplan, 1-4 p.m.; Peter Felsenthal, 3-4 p.m.;

    Sunday, Nov. 22: Betsy Wing and Steven D. Powell, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Quan Meyers, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Lea Wait, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fred Kaplan, 1-4 p.m.; Peter Felsenthal, 2-3 p.m.

    The entire artist's collective will be in the show but two members - Ragsdale with her greeting and note cards and smaller collages, and Denniston and her small carved birds - will have full blown displays.

    Studio 53 will be raffling off an item valued at $50 or more on Sunday at 2 p.m. Drop your name into a hat (just once) anytime during the four days of the show. The winner will be notified by phone immediately after the drawing to come on down and pick up their newfound art by 4 p.m.

    “It's just our way of thanking the community for supporting the arts and being at our show,” Volpe said.

    Gifts for Giving continues during the Early Bird Sale & Pajama Party (Nov. 21), and two $75 gift certificates/door prizes good for purchasing an artistic goodie in the show will be offered. Drawings will be at 2 p.m. on the 21st.

    “There is always new art because people are always trying out new ideas,” Studio 53 collective member Lynne Seitzer said. “You won't see all the same things as last year.”

    “There's a continuity in having some of the same artists in the show and some of their larger pieces,” said Volpe. “Often people will come to the show one year – specifically interested in the higher-end works – and return the following year ready to buy that piece of art they saw before.

    “They think about, dream about buying pieces they see here … including all of us,” Volpe said laughing.

    “It's like the community family of artists, artisans, which encompasses different authors every year, it's the place where everyone being creative can merge for the holiday,” said Seitzer. “I love hearing people say they like starting (shopping) here – getting one-of-a-kind gifts. It really is a feel-good event, the food, the music, all the ambiance ... it feels like everyone is so into it, it's the kickoff to the holidays!”

    The hours for Gifts For Giving 2015: Thursday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Gala Reception from 5-8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 21, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 22 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Studio 53 is located at 53 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor. For more information, call 207-633-2755.