By Amanda M. Grosvenor
“Buy Local” might be a trendy catchphrase, but it’s a real way to seriously boost our state’s economy and keep talent in the area. Rhode Island is home to so many artists, makers, creatives and craftspeople that it’s easy to find unique gifts to surprise your loved ones with, instead of mass produced fare. We’ve made it even easier by rounding up art and craft sale events happening all over the state.
Conanicut Island Art Association is having its fun, yearly Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair at the Lawn School on December 3, complete with music, food and quality items from more than 35 vendors. 55 Lawn Avenue, Jamestown. ConanicutArtAssociation.com
Starting on November 25, Craftland’s 15th annual Holiday Extravaganza will take over its shop downtown, bringing in an additional 50(ish) vendors to its usual 100 with a huge collection of hip, locally made gifts. 212 Westminster Street, Providence. 401-272-4285, CraftlandShop.com
Now through December 22, DeBlois Gallery’s
Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show offers one-of-a-kind holiday gifts from local artists and artisans. Find fine art and sculpture, jewelry and handmade accessories, soaps, holiday ornaments, cards and whimsical stocking stuffers for every special someone on your list.
134 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown. 401-847-9977, DeBloisGallery.com
Four Corners Arts Organization hosts a finely curated boutique fair of local and regional artists and artisans on December 10. Choose from pottery, fine art, photography, jewelry and more.
3850 Main Road, Tiverton. TivertonFourCorners.com
The Foundry Artists Association Holiday Sale at the Pawtucket Armory is self-produced by its talented group of artists. Clay and earthenware, mosaics, plush toys, leather, collage and much more delight treasure seekers who can also meet the artists. The sale runs from the opening reception on December 1 through December 4, and picks up again December 9-11.
172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. FoundryShow.com
Mad Dog Artist Studios holds their fifth annual holiday sale from December 1-4 and 9-11 to coincide with The Foundry Sale. Forty member artist mediums include (but are not limited to) furniture, woven and knitted textiles, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, mixed media, wall art and soaps. Don’t forget to check out the brand new first floor Mad Dog Café.
65 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket. 401-722-7800, MadDogArtistStudios.com
The Jamestown Arts Center’s Holiday Arts Market features high quality and unique curated works like glass, clothing, painting, prints, ceramics and jewelry by local artists on December 9-10.
18 Valley Street, Jamestown. 401-560-0979, JamestownArtCenter.org
The Providence Art Club’s 112th annual Little Pictures Show and Sale – running now through December 23 – is certainly the longest-running event in the list and a chance to take home fine art at an affordable price; paintings cannot exceed $300 or 16” x 16” in size and are replaced with others as they sell, with more than 600 total.
11 Thomas Street, Providence. 401-331-1114, ProvidenceArtClub.org
The Providence Flea Holiday Markets will be held December 4, 11 and 18 inside the Hope High School cafetorium, offering whimsical and unexpected holiday and gift-themed merchandise from 50 vendors.
324 Hope Street, Providence. ProvidenceFlea.com
The RISD Alumni and Student Holiday Art Sale on December 10 is an artistic smorgasbord for design lovers. It’s so massive that it needs the Rhode Island Convention Center to fit its mini-reunion of more than 200 talented alums and students selling fine art, glass, ceramics, apparel, jewelry, home goods and more.
1 Sabin Street, Providence. 401-277-4931, RISDAlumniSales.com
On December 3-4, Shady Lea Mill opens its doors for the 19th Annual Open Studios. See talented, world-class artists in their natural habitat, as glass blowers, potters and floral designers offer a glimpse of what goes into making their stunning works. 215 Shady Lea Road, North Kingstown. 401-290-7548, TheMillAtShadyLea.com
The South County Art Association’s 46th Annual Holiday Pottery and Art Sale lives up to its name with assorted prints, photography and small paintings, cards, jewelry and ceramics by SCAA members, on sale from November 25-December 17. 2587 Kingstown Road, Kingston. 401-783-2195, SouthCountyArt.org
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