By Courtney Byrnes
The holiday season is a time for friends and families to come together, often to enjoy a nice meal and exchange gifts. As you search for the perfect gift for the special people in your life, consider embracing the season of giving further by looking to support local artists and small businesses. After all, handcrafted gifts are often the best types of presents to receive, and where better to look than a local gallery or bookstore? Canvas asked some local galleries and shops about their best gift ideas, and here’s what they recommend for the 2022 holiday season.
Heights Arts
2175 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights • heightsarts.org
“(I) started the Heretic Toy Company after noticing how quickly plastic toys started to fill up and clutter (my) home after becoming a father. (I) wanted (my) child to play with toys that weren’t made overseas in sweatshops or laden with harmful plasticizers. Further, (I) wanted (our) living space filled with aesthetically pleasing toys that were handcrafted and ethical. Noticing that there was an abundance of wooden toys for toddlers but none for older children, (I) decided to create them,” writes sculptor and painter Bedel Tiscareño.
“(We) make custom jewelry, wedding bands and small sculptures in bronze, silver and gold. Each piece is first hand carved and then cast in solid metal. (We) are motivated by material permanence while exploring hand-wrought forms with ritual, emotion and function. (We) both studied at Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Institute of Art briefly with concentrations in studio art and sculpture,” write Bobby and Danielle Allen, the husband and wife duo behind The Circle Craft. They reside and work from their home studio in Cleveland Heights.
Koehn Sculptors’ Sanctuary on Green
1936 South Green Road, South Euclid • sanctuaryongreen.com
“A light of a candle warms every heart, every day, not just holidays, so it is a gift that keeps on giving,” says Victoria Koehn, owner of Koehn Sculptors’ Sanctuary on Green.
“A beautifully handloomed or printed dishtowel is also a gift for everyone, and we have styles for any interior,” Koehn says.
Artisans’ Corner Gallery
11110 Kinsman Road, Newbury • artisanscornergallery.com
“Functional and beautiful pottery with designs to go with anyone’s home decor,” says Monica Glasscock, manager of Artisans’ Corner Gallery.
Loganberry Books
13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights • loganberrybooks.com
“‘All Creatures Weird and Dangerous’ is a nod to James Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small,’ following Otterson’s personal experiences as a traveling veterinarian,” says Devon Overley, the local voices coordinator for Loganberry Books. “Otterson offers readers a twist through detailing his (fictitious) run-ins with various cryptids. He cares for Bigfoot, Nessie and a mermaid in this entertaining narrative.”
“Zivkov offers children a meditative picture book with nature-based affirmations,” Overley says. “The book features beautiful full-page illustrations of the wonders of nature. Zivkov gives children the time and space to breathe and feel connected to the world.”
Valley Art Center
155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls • valleyartcenter.org
“Whether purchased individually or as a stackable set, soothing stones are the perfect gift for those who need a relaxing sensory experience,” says Rebecca Gruss, executive director of Valley Art Center. “Additionally, they offer a great way to celebrate or honor the accomplishments of your loved ones, being gifted as literal ‘milestones,’ showing a visual representation of what one has experienced.”
