Can you believe that? I know it is still 80 degrees plus outside, but I already see Christmas decorations and crafts and household décor on the shelves and in my social media feed popups (which I despise!) It seems like I just put the tree away from last year.

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year and can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. Deciding what to give loved ones and friends can be a daunting task, but there is so much joy in giving and watching someone open a gift they truly enjoy. This holiday season the Colquitt County Arts Center offers many opportunities for you to find or make that perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Our 2017 Christmas Shoppe will open November 7th and will be filled with artwork by several local artists. There will be so many beautiful items to choose from including paintings, textiles, woodworking, ornaments, jewelry, wreaths, pottery and so much more! The Christmas Shoppe will be open during regular business Arts Center hours Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:30pm until December 15th.

Not only do we offer a chance for you to support your local artists, designers and craftsman this year, but you can come and create your own beautiful gift! Nothing is more special than a gift made with love! The Arts Center has a wonderful Pick and Paint studio where anyone can come anytime and pick from several different pieces of ceramic bisque ware to paint and have fired in our kiln. We have coffee mugs, Christmas tree luminaries, platters, Christmas ornaments, wine bottle holders, picture frames, and the list goes on and on!  You will need to get your Pick and Paint pieces painted and ready for firing no later than December 5th as the Arts Center will close for the holidays at 5:30 December 15th.

Over the next several weeks the Arts Center will offer additional opportunities for you to create a one of a kind gift for someone special on your list. The Arts Center is holding a Stained Glass Artist Retreat the weekend of November 3rd-5th- but you don’t have to know how to do stained glass to participate.  Participants will purchase an antique window on site and transform it into a work of art over the course of the weekend which will also include a yoga class and a painting class and lunch both days. Instructors Kathy Nelson, Ashlee Parrish and Kim Yarbrough will lead this retreat.

Two opportunities to learn basketry are coming your way with a Market Basket Workshop on Saturday, October 28th and Coiling with Pine Needles on November 3rd and 4th. Basket Maker Virginia Lowman will bring her professional basketry skills to these two workshops.

Our Last Thursday workshop this month will take place on October 26th and give you the opportunity to make a piece of Resin Jewelry with instructor Kim Yarbrough. Our November Last Thursday event will find Leah Garcia helping participants create a unique and fun Christmas Door Hanger.

Our Kaleidoscope Kids will gather on Saturday, December 9th from 10 AM to Noon for a workshop to create a canvas that celebrates our Christmas Lights on the Square and decorate cookies.  Cost per child is $10 and Kaleidoscope Kids members attend at no charge.

Looking for an early gift? Why not treat a relative or friend to the James Farmer Luncheon to be held at The Arts Center for a lunch, lecture and book signing on Tuesday, November 14th. James Farmer is the author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling garden books, A Time to Plant; Sip & Savor; Porch Living; Wreaths for All Seasons; A Time to Cook, Dinner on the Grounds, A Time to Celebrate and A Place to Call Home. An autographed book by James would also make a wonderful gift!

You could gift someone with a delightful evening at the Arts Center with a delicious dinner and concert by Julliard trained and talented pianist Doug Montgomery. The date for this event is Thursday, November 30th. More info on this very special evening as details are finalized.

The Arts Center will once again welcome pianist Gunner Chancey and friends as we celebrate an evening with a Lesson in Carols on Thursday, December 14th at 8 PM. Tickets for this evening would also make a great gift.

And of course, you can always purchase a gift certificate for s future class, workshop or event.

We invite you to stop by the Arts Center and see for yourself what a creative place it is. Come and see the current exhibits including Wingspans – Works in Cut Paper by Ingrid Erickson in the Vereen gallery. These pieces are phenomenal!  We also have the Immigration Experience in the McCall and Traverse Galleries. A beautiful recreation of the mural that was once a part of Ellis Island and portraits of famous Americans with copies of their immigration paperwork. A very educational exhibit and one you won’t want to miss.

Stop by the Arts Center and see for yourself what a fabulous creative space it is. We are open 10:00-5:30 Monday through Friday and can also tour groups by appointment outside of office hours. Give us a call today at 985-1922.