Christmas Market 2014 was a BIG success!

We had a very successful Christmas Market 2014. A big "Thank-You" to all of our artists, volunteers, office staff, directors, members, sponsors, local media, and customers. We couldn't have done it without you!

Just think of all the wonderful gifts from our artists that were opened and enjoyed on Christmas Day, and throughout the holiday season!

We are now closed, but will reopen on Tuesday January 6 at 10am. The Gift Shop will be up and running in mid January. Check back here for the opening date.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Creative New Year!

Miniature Christmas Tree Silent Auction at Christmas Market 2014

Not only do we have the Anton Art Center devoted to thousands of unique gifts made by local artists during  Christmas Market 2014: Celebrate! , we have quite a spirited auction going on. Each year we ask businesses, organizations, and individuals to create one-of-a-kind Miniature Christmas Trees (each under 4'). Each tree is then displayed in Christmas Market and offered for bidding in our "Silent Auction".

This year we have 15 trees. Each beautifully fashioned and awaiting your bid.

#1 "Paper and Lace" created by our own Executive Director, Anne Lilla. This is the perfect table top tree at 1' tall. The tree is trimmed in red and gold with tiny flower ornaments, and a bright red ribbon. So cute!

#2 "The Love Tree" has also been created by Anne Lilla. It too is a tiny table top tree at just 1' tall. Covered top to bottom with happy Mary Englebreit characters, it is as sweet as can be.

#3 "Birds and Bells" created by the MSU Extension Smart Gardening group. This tree is like no other. Little birds, nests, brass bells and spanish moss all rest on real branches secured in a beautiful flower pot. A gardener's or bird lover's dream.

#4 "Celebrate" made by Three Boys and a Tree. The lighted tree is festooned in sapphire blue and silver in honor of our 45th anniversary.

#5 "Waiting for Santa" Also created by Three Boys and a Tree, this lighted tree has hand-made polymer clay ornaments, decorated pine cones, and a festive red plaid base.

#6 "Fairy Couture" created by Karen P. McNeil. This lighted tree is decorated with bright frosted ornaments a grape vine wound through the branches, and fluffy snow between each branch. Very classy.

#7 ""Old Fashioned Christmas Tree" made in honor of the 23rd. Annual Mount Clemens Grand Prix.This lighted tree is truly a classic with bright tinsel garland, and tiny ornaments.

#8 "Owls for Christmas" created by Mary Friedman, this lighted tree is so imaginative! It is full of frosted silver and gold ornaments, and feathered owls.

#9 "A Lofty Christmas" made by The Loft Art Gallery, this lighted tree is richly decorated with little framed art pieces and topped with a beautiful white bird.

#10 "Ukrainian Spider Tree" from Immaculate Conception Schools relates the tale of The Christmas Spider. This lighted tree is full of sparkling snowflakes, and spiders (fluffy-not real)!

#11"Rustic Christmas Tree" from the Macomb Board of Commissioners. The lighted tree is decorated with burlap snowmen, pine cones, and big felt lollypops.

#12 "The Hope Tree" from Mary's Children Family Center Day Program. This is a lighted tree full of sparkling silver and gold of ornaments made by the children of the Center. Topping the tree is a Happy Angel.

#13 "Danish Christmas" created by our own artist and volunteer Jan Dolland. The lighted tree features tiny Danish flags, and hand made ornaments made from wood shavings.

#14 "Holiday Happy" created by one of our volunteers, Diane Carlson. This lighted tree is decorated with bright white snowflakes, frosted red and lime green ornaments, and a cute little teddy bear at the base.

#15 "Frozen Tree" created by students of Lutz School in Clinton Township. This tree is a hit with any young people that visit! It is lighted and full of images of the characters from the movie, with Olaf nestled at the top in a sparkling silver bow. Such fun!

Hurry! The last day of bidding is Sunday December 14 by 2pm. Winning bidders can take their trees home in plenty of time for holiday festivities!

Small Business Saturday Nov.29

You are invited to Small Business Saturday at The Anton Art Center Christmas Market 2014.

We have a BIG show, but we are local. The gifts you will find here have all been created by our own Michigan artists.

You have a choice! Shop Small and Local!
See you on Saturday.

Christmas Market 2014...Celebrate!

Our wonderful Christmas Market 2014 is so full of unique gifts from local artists. Take a look at some of the
holiday decor available:

This is just a small sample of what you will find. Look for Christmas cards, Christmas jewelry, tons of beautiful ornaments, and Santas in any size and description.
Come in and browse, come in and enjoy our festive atmosphere.
Christmas Market 2014 will be open thru December 21. We are open Tues.-Thurs. 10am-5pm, Fri. 10am-6pm, Sat. 10am-5pm, Sun. 12noon-4pm. We will be closed Weds. & Thurs. November 26 & 27 for Thanksgiving.
See you soon!

Christmas Market 2014 is open!

The wait is over!  Christmas Market 2014  is open. The theme this year is: Celebrate!  in honor of the 45th anniversary of the Anton Art Center. We have more than 100 artists showing their creations this year. Many are your favorite artists that have participated in years past, and new artists you will want to check out.

You will find whole rooms devoted to Jewelry, Pottery, Fiber, Christmas and Pantry, plus Wall Art, Wood, Art Dolls, Toys, Books, Cards, Calendars, Gift Bags and Boxes, even hand-made Fishing Lures!

Shopping to find those wonderful, one-of-a-kind gifts is just part of the pleasure of  Christmas Market 2014. The beautiful decorations, and tasteful displays are worth seeing just to get you in the holiday spirit. Our volunteers have outdone themselves again bringing it all together!

A special "Meet the Artists" event is planned for Sunday November 16, from 1-3pm. Come and meet the talented artists who make Christmas Market possible.


There will also be a one-woman-show in the Community Gallery on the second floor of the Anton Art Center, featuring the painting artistry of the Mary Reo all during Christmas Market 2014.

Come and Celebrate! with us! Open during regular gallery hours November 14 thru December 21 (...closed for Thanksgiving, Wednesday November 26, and Thursday November 27).

Last days to shop The Gift Shop!

On Sunday October 19 we will begin to dismantle The Gift Shop to make way for Christmas Market 2014.
There is still time to enjoy and shop the one of a kind gifts and artwork...so come on in and see:

Jewelry...

Wall art....

Pottery...

Halloween decor...

and so much more!

Christmas Market 2014  Celebrate! will open on November 13 with a preview night for members of the Anton Art Center, and will be open to the public on November 14.

Halloween and Thanksgiving Decorations

Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner, and The Gift Shop has some really clever centerpieces for your holiday decorating. As usual, each piece is unique, and crafted by our talented Gift Shop artists.
Take a look at these fun creations:

Connie Sochacki  (SOCH)

Mary Taros  (TAR)

Mary Taros  (TAR)

Mary Taros  (TAR)

If it seems like we are pushing the seasons, it's only because 1) the year is just speeding by, and 2) we will be closing The Gift Shop to get ready for Christmas Market 2014.
Visit soon. Your last day to shop is Saturday October 18!

Frame-worthy Art in new calendar

The new Mount Clemens Art Association calendar for 2015 is in, and The Gift Shop has it! Each month features the original art of one of the talented members of the group. The MCAA  proceeds from sales go towards a scholarship for a Mount Clemens High School art student. How cool is that?

The Mount Clemens Art Association has members from many different art disciplines, and the calendar reflects this. The selected pieces are works of art all on their own, and suitable for framing. Here are just a few of the selected images:

Come take a look at the 2015 calendar soon. And by the way, we still have the 2014 calendar. It too is filled with lovely frame-worthy art.

Art for your indoor space

Fall arrives tonight and there is definitely a nip in the air. We will all be spending more time indoors, so how about sprucing things up at home! Here at The Gift Shop we have art work that will help you do just that.

 Brighten your space with fresh new wall art.

Add a beautiful decorative plate from Gayle Krause (KRA) to remind you of summer travels.

One of Rich Fidler's (FID) fun L.P. clocks would look great (and fun) on any wall.

This lovely ceramic vase from Lynn Conlen (CON) will brighten up your table.

What could be more fun than to add one of Darin Dundee's (DUN) whimsical creations to your collection?

Come see us soon, it's warm and friendly inside.

While you are here at The Gift Shop, check out the new exhibit in Anton Art Center's main gallery: "An Autumn Affair" presented by The Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors.

Celebrate at ArtParty

Starting this summer, Anton Art Center reached out to local businesses, restaurants, and communities for donations to add to the silent auction and raffle for our annual fund raiser ArtParty.  We made a special effort to get donations of art work from local artists, and our own artists at The Gift Shop. Everyone responded in a big way! Revelers will be able to bid on everything from spa packages, restaurant vouchers, home decor, food, get-away packages, and even cash!
Dearest to our hearts are the donations from artists. They have generously donated jewelry, wall art, art dolls, fun collage/sculpture art, hand-made wooden bowls, bright fiber art, and more.
Here is just a sample of what you will find:

Come Celebrate 45 years of the Art Center with us! Dress-up, dress-down, enjoy great food, great entertainment, all for a great cause. See you there.

Art is here

We are having a great year at The Gift Shop! Wonderful work from our talented artists, friendly volunteers to assist shoppers, efficient support staff, and fantastic backing  from The Anton Art Center administration.
And with new shops and restaurants joining your old favorites, it is an exciting time to be in Mount Clemens!

Stop in. We have unique gifts for any occasion, and for anybody...even you!

The weather is perfect for a stroll through downtown Mount Clemens. Have lunch, window shop, come in to see the latest exhibit at Anton Art Center, and shop The Gift Shop.
See you soon!

Original Wall Art

Wall art can add personality to any room. Whether it's a painting, photo, collage, fabric hanging, print, or wall sculpture, the artists here at The Gift Shop have an original piece that will be just right. Set the right mood with color and texture. Make a statement with something bold or edgy. Do you have a chosen theme? We have a piece here that will compliment your design.

Some examples of our wall art on the West wall of The Gift Shop.

Now it's time to .............Meet the Artists, with an emphasis on our wall art selection.

Constance Powell  (POW)

David Dinsdale  (DINS)

James Williams  (WILL)

Hilda Havlik  (HAV)

The letters in parentheses show each artist's code. Find the code and you will know who created which piece.

Visit soon, and while here, don't forget to see the truly memorable exhibit currently at Anton Art Center Ian Hornak: A Hometown Retrospective until Sept. 5.