Art Galleries downtown held their First Friday receptions last night to officially bring in the holiday season. Most galleries had holiday tables with creative and handmade gift ideas in addition to other paintings, sculptures and jewelry. Many galleries held all-member shows to wrap up the year.
Art First Gallery is featuring work from 30 of their member artists this month, that includes both paintings and jewelry. While they don’t have specific holiday pieces, some artists have created smaller works for “impulse buying,” as one artist, Shirley Whelan puts it.
Brush Strokes Gallery welcomed two new members this month, Norma Woodward and Sandy Staley. Woodward creates art from photographs, and travels all over the world to do so.
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“My husband says I zig-zag all over the country,” she says. “I don’t make reservations, I just go wherever I find something interesting.”
Woodward says she likes to avoid the touristy places, as she wants to focus on interesting things off the map. This year, she traveled from July to October, following her creative impulse.
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This month, Sammy T’s is hosting artwork from local mother and son, Mirinda and Barrett Reynolds. Mirinda’s paintings are all portraits and dancers and are featured in the main restaurant area of Sammy T’s. Barrett’s creations are located in the yogurt shop.
“Barrett told me he’s tied me in sales,” laughs Mirinda. “He was the first one to get a sale tonight.”
Ponshop’s December collection is catered to holiday shoppers with unique jewelry made by local artists, as well as ceramic ornaments.
“There’s been a lot of scouting and interest,” says owner Gabe Pons, “everyone is getting ideas for holiday shopping.”
The gallery also features Gabe’s skateboard designs. “Because every kid wants a skateboard under their tree,” he insists.
Artful Dimensions Gallery held their inaugural First Friday Reception. As the new 3-D gallery in Fredericksburg, they are growing fast. The gallery also hosts a holiday table full of three dimensional gifts made of almost every material imaginable. Artful Dimensions also hosted “Fusing Fun,” where visitors could create their own art with fused glass. Many participated in making holiday designs in one of the many studios in the gallery.
“We want to do something like this every first friday,” says owner Christine Lush-Rodriguez.
Many other places downtown are hosting art this month, be sure to look around to see what creativity Fredericksburg has to offer.
