Pottery, glassware, jewelry, paintings, and more by local artists are available for purchase at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts’ holiday show.
Every winter, the Minnetonka Center for the Arts turns into a holiday wonderland as the Arts of the Holidays show and sale takes over the gallery from mid-November to the end of December.
The arts center has been doing a holiday sale in some form for several decades, but it wasn’t until about 10 years ago that the show started to take on its current form. “We had things for sale [at the holidays], but it was always small,” says Sara Skalle, communications director for the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. “It dawned on us that one of our purposes is to provide opportunities for local artists.”
Arts of the Holidays was created to not only show off the work of local artists, but to help them earn a little extra revenue during the busy season.
And there’s an important feature that sets the show apart from other similar arts and crafts sales at this time of year: Arts of the Holidays is curated by a jury. Artists submit their work for consideration, and only the pieces selected by exhibit director and retail manager Robert Bowman are included in the show.
All 3,000 square feet of the gallery are dedicated to Arts of the Holidays, and the entire space is packed with pottery, paintings, photography, sculpture, wood and jewelry by more than 120 artists. Most of the artists live locally and have worked with the Minnetonka Center for the Arts for many years. The showcase is, however, open to anyone who wishes to submit art.
All of the hard work that goes into planning and producing the show and sale is done with a focus on the center’s mission—to showcase local art and, especially, to make it accessible to everyone in the community. Throughout the year, the center offers art classes and workshops, put on by a team of 100 artist-instructors. The holiday season, in particular, is a great time to get involved with the art community. (Many popular classes are offered this season; check minnetonkaarts.org for listings and registration.)
“We hope people discover gifts of fine arts and crafts, but it’s also a destination,” Skalle says. “It is a busy time of year, and it is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle.” Visitors can stop by the art center’s café for nourishing treats, too.
Making everything come together for the show takes hard work and plenty of volunteers. Judy Platt-Nelson is one of those volunteers. She spends time at the show helping people, answering questions and assisting with purchases.
Platt-Nelson also showcases her art. She has been taking part since 2009 and makes mittens from old wool sweaters. “It’s a great way to repurpose old materials,” Platt-Nelson says. She also encourages friends and neighbors to stop by the show. “It’s a unique environment, and a nice outing to head there for the day.”
Genie Castro is another artist who takes part in the showcase. She creates abstract prints on plexiglass using a printing press. The style allows her to play with colors and visuals in a way that is completely abstract. She has participated in the show for about five years. “It is so close to the Twin Cities and the hub of Minnetonka that it creates a nice crowd and shopping experience,” Castro says.
So whether you’re an artist, a collector, a gift-giver, or just looking for a holiday outing full of the spirit of the season, Arts of the Holidays offers something for everyone.
Arts of the Holidays Show & Sale
through December 23
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday 9 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Minnetonka Center for the Arts
