How to Go
What: “Starry Starry Night” Holiday Gift Gallery
Where: The Fine Art Center at Town & Country, 300 E. Stroop, Kettering
When: Continues through mid-January.
More info: (937) 293-5381, www.thefineartcenter.org
The Fine Art Center at Town & Country is one of those holiday destinations where you can find unique gifts for the people on your list.
“The art that we showcase every year that gets more and more popular are our 5 x 5 minis. People really like these originals by their favorite artists, and they retail from $50 and under,” member artist Trish McKinney said. “They’re great to give as gifts, and we sold a bunch of them during the opening of the Gift Gallery.”
Those minis could be a framed photograph, a small landscape, an inspirational floral, or a colorful abstract. They can be found displayed on many small Christmas trees inside the store. The Gift Gallery represents the original artwork and creations of 80 local artisans and artists. The items include jewelry, blown glass ornaments, functional pottery, hand-carved wooden jewelry cases, specialty clothing and accessories, fiber art, photography and whimsical sculptured works.
“We have a new select membership. For the first time ever, we’re showing art by twenty 2D artists on our center wall during the holidays. Some of these local artists are up and coming, some are more established,” McKinney said. “The ones that need mentoring get help, and in return they do some volunteer work in the gallery.”
One of those up-and-coming artists is Brendan Higgins. He received a BFA in illustration from Columbus College of Art and Design. He is showing three paintings comprising two landscapes, “Fading Bridge” and “Foggy Golf” and “Resting Deer,” a nature scene of a doe. The landscapes show the fading out elements of a misty fog.
“I developed a passion for chasing storms around my town,” said Higgins, who lives in Kettering. “Being in a valley, a strong thunderstorm is rarely in the area, so each time a storm approaches, it excites me to go out to capture a mystic and surreal storm scene.”
The remaining select artists showcased in the center of the gallery are: Robert Barnette, Michael Bockoven, Allison Bour, Mike Broaddus, Kim Ceccarelli, Calvin and Tammy Combs, Sue Cox, Dean Davis, Shirley Harbaugh, Kriss Haren, Rosie Huart, Clair Kruskamp, Thom Meyer, Rosemary Ramsey, Patricia Renick, Pam Stafford, Sharon Stolzenberger and Irene Ward.
“In addition to her mixed-media paintings, Pamela Stafford makes these really cool found object sculptures and fiber ornaments that have inspirational words on them,” McKinney said. “Kay Graham makes these decorated gourds that are huge sellers. She’ll have the front window during December.”
There are also textiles by Lynn Garner, who is presenting a gray shawl trimmed in blue, brown and beige. Handmade fabric brush holders for artists were created by Frances Van Kuiken. Brand new select member Kris Haren is showing her photography for the first time.
“My photography is basically self-taught, but I’ve taken some workshops,” said Haren, who lives in Tipp City. “My favorite image is Ash Cave in Hocking Hills State Park. That area has always had a special appeal to me; it’s such a peaceful and serene site.”
In addition to her paintings, Rosie Huart is showing fabric purses. Award-winning watercolor artist Yuki Hall is presenting a new series of plein air paintings for the holiday season. She won first place for that series that she submitted for the Hebble Creek Plein Air competition.
“We have a lot of items in the gallery that are less than $50, so we make it easier for the customers to find something. And we have more jewelry than usual this year,” said Hall, who is also presenting leather bracelets.
The November Visiting Artist is Kathie George, who is showing her watercolor batik paintings of florals and scenes from Tuscany and Provence. The Members Window in November features “Catch the Glow,” mixed-media works by Karin and Keith Thue, and then “Paper, Painting & Poetry” by Huart.
“This place is just full of unique items that you wouldn’t find elsewhere, like hand-dyed silk scarves, and Christmas-themed sculptures by David Holbrook.
They include text and have electrical parts that light up,” Hall said.
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