Gifts! Gifts! Gifts! And Art!

For nearly a quarter-century, the has presented a crafty alternative to the hustle bustle of holiday shopping. The 24th annual and aptly titled Gifts! Gifts! Gifts! sale returns this Friday, Nov. 4, and runs through Dec. 23 (for those procrastinator types).  

Gifts! Gifts! Gifts! offers an opportunity to support local art and the Edina Art Center, all while doing your holiday shopping away from the malls. 

Sneak Peak for Members and Friends 

New to the sale this year is a Members’ Event Sneak Preview Party to be held Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. The event is open to Edina Art Center members as well as those who are interested in membership. A silent auction to benefit the Edina Art Center will be held, featuring works by renowned potter Robin Hopper, who recently visited the Center for a workshop. There will also be door prizes, refreshments provided by and—of course—an advance opportunity to get first pick of the sale’s offerings.

Edina Art Center Program and Gallery Coordinator Anne Spooner said she also expects some of the Gifts! Gifts! Gifts! artists and craftspeople to be present at the Sneak Preview Party.

“We are hoping for a good turnout and I think it will be a lot of fun,” Spooner said. “It should be a good time.” 

Unique Gift Ideas 

As the Edina Art Center has done for the Gifts! Gifts! Gifts! sale in previous years, the gift shop will extend into the gallery and shoppers will be able to find a variety of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items for purchase. The sale features work from more than 50 artists, many of them locals. Offerings will include pottery, jewelry, ornaments and more at a variety of price-points. 

For those who make the sale an annual holiday shopping tradition, there will be familiar faces—including some Edina Art Center instructors and advanced students—as well as some artists who are new to the sale. 

“There will be some new people that we haven’t had before along with other people who have been doing it for years,” Spooner said.  

Rotating Selection

There’s something to be said for getting a head start on holiday shopping. But even if you’re at the Members’ Event Sneak Preview Party, there will be reason to return to Gifts! Gifts! Gifts! again. Spooner said the sale will be replenished as items are sold, meaning the selection will be continually changing through this month and next. 

If You Go:

What: Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!

When: Nov. 4 to Dec. 23; Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m; Fridays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Edina Art Center (4701 W. 64th St., Edina) 

Cost: Free