Holiday magic returns to Davis Art Center

Check it out

What: Davis Art Center Holiday Sale

When: Noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2

Where: Davis Art Center, 1919 F St.

Info: 530-756-4100, www.davisartcenter.org/sale

By Liz Phinney

The 22nd annual Davis Art Center Holiday Sale is approaching fast, featuring more artisan vendors than ever before, more hands-on holiday activities for children and adults and collaboration with more local organizations and businesses.

The sale will run Friday through Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, at the Art Center, 1919 F St. in North Davis. A time-honored Davis tradition celebrating the community’s holiday spirit, it will showcase more than 70 vendors showing their hand-made products, from scarves and clothes to toys and jewelry, all unique works of art.

The Holiday Sale is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Davis Art Center, as every vendor donates 15 percent of their sales to the center to help bring art into daily Davis life. With items selling from $2 to $200, there is something for everyone.

The Holiday Sale is a holiday destination for the whole family. Mom and Dad can get their holiday shopping done early while their kids make their own gift selections at the Children’s Secret Store. One of the most popular Holiday Sale activities, it is for kids only, ages 3-12, who are accompanied by a volunteer as they do their own shopping for parents and other loved ones. All gifts are priced at a kid-friendly $1 to $6.

Young shoppers are reminded to check out the Green Table, which features hand-crafted local and sustainable gifts. The Art Center has hosted “Holiday Elves” workshops all year, at which artists like Heidi Bekebrede taught children and adults to make gifts for the Green Table. More than 50 Davis Girls Scouts also contributed 300-plus Secret Store items from recycled materials, including coasters sets and bookmarks.

Almost a third of the Secret Store this year will be “green,” and the entire store is stocked with beautiful, carefully selected gifts. All Secret Store presents are wrapped inside the store, so mom and dad will have to wait until Christmas morning to see what their child chose for them.

Shoppers also are reminded to check out the Wall of Art silent auction, which raises funds for the Gerald Wooliever Scholarship Fund that grants scholarships to high school art students. Or, they can make their own holiday gift at the Pottery Painting Room or Crafting Corner. Children can make their own gifts at the Kids Kraft room.

Hungry shoppers are invited to sit for a while and fend off the winter chill with a cup of gourmet, locally sourced soup from Stone Soup Catering. At noon Saturday, if the weather permits, there will be a lunchtime holiday concert featuring some of the Art Center’s music and dance ensembles.

Free parking is available at the Art Center and at the Veterans’ Memorial Center parking lot, 203 E. 14th St. Davis Pedicab will offer free rides to and from the Vets’ Center lot.