On Nov. 15, members and supporters of the Kootenay Gallery gathered to enjoy the official opening of Christmas at the Gallery. The evening featured Christmas baking supplied by the gallery’s board of directors. The exhibition continues until Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.
The whole gallery is stocked with hand-made crafts and arts created by Kootenay artisans. There is a large selection of work from folks who participate every year as well as many new items for you to choose from.
This year, there are prints and cards from print-makers Kat Goetz (Warfield) and Kerry Pagdin (Shoreacres), metal work by Jimmy B Designs (Nakusp), lavender crafts from Sanctuary Farm (Creston), brass jewellery from Mattie Diaz (Robson), ceramics from Knit and Bone (Winlaw) and much more.
There are always your returning favourites such as knitting by Kathleen Terry (Castlegar), paintings by Mirja Vahala and Sandra Donohue (Robson) and George Koochin (Ootischenia), and many other items by local crafters.
When you shop at Christmas at the Gallery, you are supporting your community. The vast majority of artisans who supply these goods live within the Kootenay or have strong connections here. They strive to create unique, top-quality items that you will not find elsewhere. The holiday season is when many of them make a significant income to support themselves and their families. In addition, when you shop here, you are also helping to support the Kootenay Gallery’s year-round operations.
Christmas at the Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday in November. Beginning Dec. 1, the gallery is open seven days a week at 120 Heritage Way, between the Doukhobor Discovery Centre and the BC SPCA, across the highway from West Kootenay Regional Airport. For more information, call 250-365-3337 or email kootenaygallery@telus.net.