Heights Arts Holiday Store celebrates 15 years of showcasing local artists

Heights Arts Holiday Store, at 2175 Lee Road, will open for the season Nov. 4.

Part of Heights Arts's mission as a community nonprofit is to showcase and support our region's artists, whether they are visual, literary or musical. Northeast Ohio—and particularly Cleveland Heights—is a hotbed of creative talent.

This season, Heights Arts hosts its largest holiday store since it first opened its doors on Lee Road as a pop-up gallery in 2001. Beginning on Friday, Nov. 4, and running through Dec. 30, the store will be filled with a broad selection of giftable art—ceramics, glass, jewelry, painting, printmaking, photography, fiber works, artist tees, paper crafts and handmade holiday cards, as well as artisan items for the home and for the littlest ones in the family (not to mention poetry chapbooks and CDs from Cleveland musicians). That's one long list, but it is a reflection of the depth and variety of local talent as the Heights Arts Holiday Store fills the entire gallery space with works from more than 80 artists.

Here is sampling of what's new to the Holiday Store this year: greeting cards and artwork by Cleveland Heights illustrator Jamey Christoph; eco-printed scarves by fiber artist Christine Mauersberger; modern, copper jewelry by Jessica Kayse of Souls Repurpose; hand-felted animals and ornaments by Ninna Nanna; and hand-knit accessories and wall hangings by Maria Ianaro.

Local, handmade items continually arrive throughout December, so visitors are encouraged to return and support local artists with their holiday purchases.

Special seasonal shopping days include Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26, at which Heights Arts will pamper post-Thanksgiving shoppers with refreshments, complimentary gift-wrapping, and the chance to win a gift basket filled with artisan goodies.

The 15th Annual Holiday Store is open seven days a week through December, with participating artists volunteering their time to help patrons in the gallery and share information about their craft.

A Heights Arts members-only preview is Friday, Nov. 4, 5–7 p.m., with a public reception to follow, 7–9 p.m. the same evening.

For further information on community programs, upcoming events and the 15th annual Heights Arts Holiday Store, visit www.heightsarts.org or call 216-371-3457.

Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan is on staff at Heights Arts, a nonprofit community arts organization.

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Volume 9, Issue 11, Posted 10:11 AM, 11.01.2016