Annual Yuletide holiday sale beefs up, arrives early this year
Yuletide, one of the holiday season’s most popular local arts and crafts festivals, returns for its 26th year at the Spokane Art School.
This year’s Yuletide is “enhanced,” says the art school’s executive director, Karl H. Hollander.
In addition to the traditional three-day holiday sale beginning Friday, there will be an “abbreviated” Yuletide in the Huneke Gallery through Dec. 23.
“When the artists take down their booths on Sunday they’ll leave part of their inventory with us,” says Hollander. “We will set up a display in the gallery space where everything will be available for purchase during our regular hours.”
Also new this year is that Yuletide takes place a week earlier than in past years.
“We decided to move it to the last weekend in November for a couple of reasons,” says Laura Dahl, metal smith and art school board member.
“The main reason is that in past years, Yuletide shoppers were competing for parking spaces with people attending the ‘Disney on Ice’ performances scheduled for the first weekend in December.”
Parking won’t be a problem for the opening night Gala Party that runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.
“There will be free parking across the street from the art school for Gala ticket holders,” says Hollander.
Tickets for this fund-raising event are $20 per person or $30 a couple; call 328-0900.
A “Miniature Holiday Tree” silent auction continues throughout the evening. Each 15-inch tree has been decorated by a local artist, business or organization. The evening also includes music by Brian Crain, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.
On Saturday there will be craft-making demonstrations: at 11 a.m. by Pat Boyd, loom weaving; 1 p.m. by Christine Marr, spinning and fibers; and 3 p.m. by Kim Huender, stained glass.
The Yuletide fine arts and crafts fair runs Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The art school, 920 N. Howard St., is across from the Arena. Admission is free.
Yuletide artists
The 43 artists who have booths in Yuletide are:
“ Pottery by Sheilah Bliss, Colleen Clark-Loomer, Marie Harcus and Shoshana Israel; etchings by Susan Hedstrand; jewelry by Pat Boyd, Jon Lepper, Margo and Kurt Madison, Amy Mickelson and Lisa Moss.
“ Fiber work by Nan Drye and Christine Marr; photography by Sue Farmer, Linda Lowry and Gay Waldman; wood objects by Ron and Julie Flint; and paintings by Leslie Green, Richard Kapugi and Olivia Inaba Waterman.
“ Paper art by Jill Kuhn and Patti Reiko Osebold; dolls by Renee Rahn and Caprice Weeks; holiday ornaments and dolls by Elizabeth Raol; gourds by Sally Inman; and glass works by Marissa Athens, Barbara Best, Laura Dahl, Kim Huender, Sue Luce and Dorian Renaldo.
“ Candles by Nancy Brown and L. Joe Smith; Romanian eggs by Ioana Rogers; leaf ornaments by Claudia Carrier; silk items by Susan Huidekoper Melka; metal sculpture by Michaelangelo Molea; toys by Jake Szramek; soap by Sandra Tarbox; and tea by Marjorie Thompson.
Grant Gallery’s holiday show
For the third year, the William Grant Gallery in North Spokane is filling its shelves and lining its walls with artwork for its Christmas open house beginning Saturday.
“We have quite an impressive lineup this year,” says gallery assistant Janna Juday. “There will be work by 22 artists ranging from wood carvings to paintings.”
Once again the gallery is featuring only Inland Northwest artists and crafters, including ceramics by Liz Bishop, Lezlie Finet, Rene Goebel and Shirley Johnson. There is also work by leather artist Sandra Hiller; photography by Janna Juday and Tom Chasse; papier-mache by Leata Judd; wood carvings by Tom Thornton; grain painted boxes by Dianna Chelf; and sculpture by Cyndi E. Morgan.
Look for glass objects by Patricia Garibay and Marty and Kathy Kaylor; silk and mixed media by Jan Juday; and paintings by Thelma Giampietri, Patti Reiko Osebold, Debbie Hughbanks, Renee Rigsby, Darrell Sullens, Viola Unger, Carlene Schwab and Rob Forbes.
Meet the artists during a reception Saturday between noon and 5 p.m. at the gallery, 820 W. Francis Ave. View the work through Dec. 24.
Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sawdust Gallery opens
The Sawdust Gallery in Elk is having a grand opening Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The gallery offers fine art and gifts including limited-edition bronze sculptures by Thomas Fifield, oil paintings by John Werr, watercolors by Nancy J. Knight and Clare Clark, and Chinese brush watercolors by Nancy Eldridge. Artists will be at the gallery throughout the grand opening weekend.
The gallery is located 18 miles north of Spokane at 40101 N. Newport Highway in Elk. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information call (509) 292-8504.