Unique, Handcrafted Jewelry at The Gift Shop

Our beautiful, hand-crafted jewelry selection is one of the aspects of The Gift Shop that draws people in. They know they will find something very special to please themselves, or as a gift for someone else.

Whatever your personal style, color coordination, or range of prices...we have it here.
Just look at our jewelry case, full of wondrous choices.

I have always wanted to highlight each individual artist, with an example of the work they create. So I am starting today with a few of our jewelry artists. The code for each artist is shown in parentheses. Look for that code on each piece of art to know who has created what. Each posting more artists will be introduced. Of course you can come into The Gift Shop and see them all, any time you like!

Meet the Artists

                                                                           

                                                             Maria Silamianos  (SIL)

                                                                        

       Marje Stormont  (GAR)

                                                                        

                                                             
                                                                 Judith Levitt  (LEV)

                                                              Elaine Kolodziej  (KOL)

With over 50 great artists, all from Michigan, and some with work in several disciplines, it will take awhile to show them all. So..."stay tuned" for more of Meet the Artists in future posts.


                                                                            

   

Gift Shop is open!

The Gift Shop at Anton Art Center is open! We are filled with great new wall art, jewelry, pottery, kids' toys, and decorative pieces for your home.

Many of your favorite artists are here from previous years. We also have brand new artists you will want to check out. 

 

Its getting close to Valentine's Day. We have a fine selection of jewelry for your sweetheart. Choices range from: delicate to bold, bright to classic, colorful to natural hues. Each jewelry artist brings their own unique skill and imagination to craft each piece.

 

Come in out of the cold, and enjoy the new work we have here at The Gift Shop. Don't forget to check out the wonderful art displays in Anton Art Center's main and Community galleries.

The main gallery is hosting the very prestigious Michigan Annual XLI. It is a juried show of art submitted from all over Michigan. Come in soon. Show closes February 21!

Upstairs in the Community gallery the show is entitled, "My Michigan". Displayed are the juried works from three of this areas best artists' groups: Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores, Mt. Clemens Art Association, and Warren Tri-County Fine Arts Association. See pictures of the work and opening reception at: "My Michigan" . Show closes February 16!

Both shows are great examples of the talent found here in Michigan.

Very Special Christmas Trees!

The last few years Christmas Market has hosted a silent auction of decorated Christmas trees donated by groups/individuals. The proceeds go to Anton Art Center Programing.

This year we have eight trees, each one is individual and very special. You can choose from colorful, fun, elegant, bright, traditional, even patriotic! All are under 3' tall...perfect to add to your holiday decorations.
Bidding closes Sunday, December 15 at 4pm., with pick-up beginning Tuesday, December 17.

                                  Here they are all together in our "Silent Auction" display.

1) "Three Boys and a Tree" was created by the three grandsons of one of our volunteers. The tree is decorated with tiny ornaments, some hand-crafted. Very bright, and very special.

2) Donated by Mary Friedman, this tree is elegantly decorated in teal, silver, and white. Just beautiful!

3) This very classy tree has been donated by Nancy Henk. The tree is fashioned from  spiraling grapevines. It is decorated with greens, pinecones, red roses, berries, and grapes. Lovely!

4) Donated by George Murphy, this tree is all U.S.A.! Handsomely decorated with red, white and blue ribbons and ornaments...topped with American flags.

5) Created by our own Anne Lilla (Executive Director of Anton Art Center), this cute little tree is decorated with spools, tiny pin cushions, and colorful felted ornaments. (I happen to know that Anne just learned to felt in a class offered this fall right here at Anton Art Center). This tree is just adorable!

6) "Merry 'Green' Christmas" tree donated by St. Mary School. As you might guess, it is decorated with recycled items. Little snowmen made of Christmas tree bulbs, garlands of poptops, and "topped" off with a jaunty top hat and red mittens. Such fun!

7) Connie Sochacki is one our gifted artists here at Anton Art Center. Her coloful tree is made from brightly wrapped presents. It is topped by a woven bird nest containing a tiny Christmas tree and little shiny presents. This tree is a collector's item.

8) "Scenes of the Season" This very clever tree has been donated by MCrest. It is decorated with handmade picture frames each one filled with holiday pictures. Very sweet tree!

Now its time for you to come in and see these trees, and bid on your favorites. Remember: Bidding ends on Sunday, December 15 at 4pm.
While you are here, do a little more Christmas shopping at our wonderful Christmas Market 2013!

Christmas Market 2013 gets more ink!

Check out the great article written by Stephen Bitsoli in the special section "Shop Till You Drop" in Sunday's Macomb Daily. Find even more pictures of Christmas Market 2013 on the Anton Art Center's Facebook page.

Christmas Market is almost open!

The annual Christmas Market is always a highlight for The Anton Art Center, and Christmas Market 2013 is going to be great!

The whole process is months in the making. In August the "Call for Artist" announcement went out to all potential  Christmas Market 2013 artists. The submissions started to come in. The art was chosen, and new work was judged.

The more physical work began on October 20. We dismantled The Gift Shop, and cleared The Art Center galleries down to bare walls. On October 25 we began to receive the artwork that would become the wondrous gifts that will be on display for the Market.

Since then dedicated volunteers have worked daily to set out and skillfully arrange thousands of pieces of art. Everything from jewelry, clothing, books, cards, wall art, ornaments, toys, art dolls, pottery, garden art, soap, carved wood, home decor, and of course Christmas items of all kinds, will be ready for your gift giving pleasure!

Christmas Market 2013 will open on November 14 with a members and sponsors preview party 5:30pm-8pm.
Christmas Market 2013 will be open to the public November 15 - December 22.
"Meet the Artists" reception Sunday November 17 1pm-3pm.

Shop early and often. This year's Christmas Market will not disappoint! 

Jewelry: Ribboned & Recycled

We have some very pretty ribbon jewelry on display here at The Gift Shop. They are made by jewelry artist Altha Wargelin from a lovely fiber that is a cross between yarn and ribbon. The color choices range from bright and vibrant, to natural, and pastels. Each necklace is adjustable. Some, as you can see, also have matching earrings.

Another of our jewelry artists, Janna Bissett makes her necklace pendants from recycled / found objects. Some are fashioned from camera parts, some from typewriter pieces, and others from bike parts! All are really interesting. The larger/chunkier ones may even appeal to those hard-to-shop-for men in your life.

Come in to see these and other treasures soon, because Saturday October 19 is the last day to purchase from The Gift Shop. After that date we will begin to prepare The Anton Art Center for our annual Christmas Market.

This week is also the last week to see the Monstrous and Things I See exhibits.

The Gift Shop does Anton Art Center.

I have shared with you before about the cards here at The Gift Shop being little pieces of frame-worthy art. Well, we also have cards created by photographer Michael Robinson that depict several different views of our own Anton Art Center. They can be sent as cards, of course, but they are lovely framed.

Here are three examples of Mr. Robinson's cards. Come in to see the rest.

And while you are at The Gift Shop be sure to go upstairs to the Community Gallery for "Things I See".
This show features original works inspired by a visit to the DIA's Elsworth Kelly exhibit. We open "Things I See" with a reception on Saturday, October 12 from 1pm to 3pm.