This Christmas, ditch the high street and discover original artworks and handcrafted gifts by independent artists and makers who will be opening their studios or putting up market stalls at a range of venues. Here is a selection from across the UK.
Craft/Art works, Black Swan Arts, Frome.
Black Swan Arts present a Christmas exhibition with a twist. Featuring makers and artists who live locally but have exhibited on a national and international level, ‘Craft/Art works’ will showcase printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, woodblock printing, textiles and jewellery. Artists include: Sonja Klingler, Sasha Wardell, Chris Pig, Hans Borgonjon, Gladys Paulus, Julia Manning, Carolyn Griffiths and Tina Seviour.
1st-22nd December 2018. www.blackswanarts.org.uk
The Christmas Emporium, Creek Creative, Faversham.
Featuring 28 studios and nine desk-spaces, Creek Creative is the base for 45 local creative practitioners, including professional visual artists, silversmiths and designer-makers, writers and filmmakers, web and media designers, illustrators, musicians and theatre performers. This Christmas gift pop-up shop will offer individually handmade items, while the Gallery Kitchen Café will be serving a menu inspired by ‘all things Hygge and Christmas’.
4th-21st December 2018. www.creek-creative.org
The London Group Annual Exhibition at Christmas, The Cello Factory, London.
The London Group was originally set up in 1913 by a group of artists that included Walter Sickert, Jacob Epstein, Wyndham Lewis, David Bomberg, and Henri Gaudier Brzeska, with the aim of creating an artist-run group to act as a counter-balance to institutions such as the Royal Academy. It has exhibited at least once a year ever since, with this show being its ninth this year. 60 artists will be displaying work, with members also presenting talks on selected works on 14th December.
5th-14th December 2018. www.a-n.co.uk/events/the-londongroup-annual-exhibition-at-christmas
Christmas Open Studios, Coldharbour Studios, London.
Over 20 studio artists will be exhibiting their work, ranging from handbags, note cards and jewellery, to large canvas paintings and limited edition photographic prints, for a variety of prices. There will also be mince pies and mulled wine.
8th-9th December 2018. www.coldharbourstudios.tumblr.com
Xmas at the Mill, Islington Mill, Salford.
Taking place across Islington Mill’s newly expanded site, this event will see artists, designers and makers selling a variety of original artworks, original prints, screen-printed clothing, bags, ceramics, jewellery and woodwork. The organisation has also partnered with GRUB to bring food and drink from local traders to the event.
6th December 2018. www.islingtonmill.com
DIY Art Market, Rich Mix, London.
Featuring over 100 emerging practitioners, alongside several more established artists, this market takes place over four floors of Rich Mix London Arts Centre. Expect everything from ceramics, zines, independent publications and patches, to custom t-shirts, tote bags, art prints, risographs, screen prints, jewellery, and artist books.
8th December 2018. www.diyartmarket.com/events
A Festive Tune: Paragon’s Winter Fayre, CCA, Glasgow.
It’s been a difficult year for Glasgow’s CCA, with the venue forced to close for an extended period following the Glasgow School of Art fire in June. However, now it’s time for some musical, festive fun, with Paragon’s Winter Fayre which features games, mulled wine, home baking and stalls to stock up on stocking-fillers and gifts.
9th December 2018. www.cca-glasgow.com
(Article source: Various)
