Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop offers locally handcrafted holiday gifts
It's that time of year where we get to start thinking about coming together for the holidays. The time where you get to meet up with friends and relatives from near and far, reminisce and show gratitude for the goodness in your life. It is also the time that we may stress to find the perfect host gift, holiday gift or festive home décor.
Luckily we live in an artistically rich area that provides so many opportunities to shop locally either from small businesses or the yearly pop up artists markets. The Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop is the perfect place to start. From Dec. 1 through 4, all are welcome to shop from over 60 artists from the Hudson Valley and find locally made glass, jewelry, greeting cards, textiles, ceramics, wood products, prints, paintings, home decorating items and more at the Trolley Barn located at 489 Main St. in Poughkeepsie.
Although the name of the shop might have you think the work is created by those solely in Dutchess County, artist from five counties are represented.
Arts Mid-Hudson is partnering with the Art Effect this year to bring even more to this incredible event. Adding some new elements including Ashley's Bakeshop, an organic farm fresh bakery using local and organic products in the Hudson Valley, refreshments and entertainment. On Thursday and Friday, families can enjoy "Wild Snowy Mountain," a unique puppetry experience created by Paper Heart Puppets. On Saturday and Sunday, see what the youth at The Art Effect are up to with film screenings of their student-run projects.
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Looking for the perfect piece of jewelry for that special someone? Whether you are interested in handcrafted metals, beaded or glass jewelry, there are many artists to choose from. Janet Baskerville, Susan Bores, Kit Burke-Smith, Carrie Decker, Maggie Inge and Barbara Willmer are a few of the talented jewelers you can expect to be featured this year.
As the weather turns colder, textile and fiber gifts are perfect to share a hug across distances. Cozy knitted and printed scarves, hats, shawls and blankets will be available from many of the fiber artists including Karen Capobianco, Marilyn Dvozenja, Gabriella Fryer, and Gillian Leslie, to name a few. Lathe turned wooden bowls and cutting boards by Oscar Burkowske are available this year as well as coffee grinders, pepper grinders, cutting boards, and engraved wood pieces by Peter Brown.
Illuminate your home with the craftsmanship of Bill Hughes who creates nightlights out of recycled objects, or lamps created by Walt Hobson who also uses found objects as well as black or brass pipe. Other popular home décor items include ornaments, multi-media coasters, magnets and functional and decorative stoneware pottery. Who doesn't love a good coffee mug, serving dish or vase?
The visual artists have created a colorful portfolio of matted prints, original paintings, notecards, encaustic, sculptural wire work and more. With so many diverse offerings it is hard to know where to start, but bring your list and be prepared to go home with a little something for yourself too!
Full list of participating artists: Maryam Ali, Denise Aumick, Janet Baskerville, Sara Beames, Deborah Bein, Sandra Belitza-Vazquez, Jim Bennett, Naomi Berkery, Susan Bores, Peter Brown, Kit Burke-Smith, Oscar Burkowske, Phyllis Busell, Karen Capobianco, Adam Carlson, Donna Castelluccio, Hoodie Crescent, Carrie Decker, Penny Dell, Sue DiGilio, Felicidad Dukes, Marilyn Dvozenja, Joan Ensminger, Peggy Farrington, Gabriella Fryer, Raimundo Gaby, Patti Gibbons, Ilene Goldman, Walt Hobson, Cara Hochhalter, Bill Hughes, Nicole Hughes, Maggie Inge, Lynn Isaacson, Lynne James, Jeep Johnson, Vanessa Joy, Dave King, Paul Kmiotek, Leoni Lacouette, Gillian Leslie, Alexis Lynch, Marticia Madory, Diane-Ellen McCarron, Elizabeth McGiff, Meadow, Ivone Milani, Peggy Milone, Jill Obrig, Cindy Petrovits, Marilyn Price, Amy Rosen, Barbara Shapley, Kim Steinard, Tilly Strauss, Linda Storminger, Samantha Taylor, Barbara Willmer, Dale Wolfield
If you go
What: 9th Annual Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop
Where: The Trolley Barn, 489 Main St., Poughkeepsie
When: Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1, 2, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact: info@artsmidhudson.org; artsmidhudson.org/dutchess-handmade-pop-up-shop.
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas is the director of development and marketing for Arts Mid-Hudson. Art From Here appears every other week Sunday. Contact her at 845-454-3222 or melissa@artsmidhudson.org.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Find locally crafted holiday gifts at Duthcess Handmade Pop-Up Shop
