Compiled by Amanda Koehn
Shopping within the local arts community year-round allows patrons to both support artists and select one-of-a-kind creations, and there’s no bigger and better time to do so than the holiday season. Local artists and creatives make or supplement their livings based on those near and far buying their work. And, shopping their studios or holiday art sales allows you to ensure gifts for loved ones are special and meaningful, and your dollars remain local.
Canvas compiled a list of holiday art markets, walks and bazaars from around Northeast Ohio to streamline the shopping process for our readers. And, to learn about more holiday-related arts events, subscribe to our biweekly Canvas e-newsletter at canvascle.com/signup. To suggest more holiday arts events to include in our e-newsletter, email editor@canvascle.com.
2023 Avon Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25
WHERE:Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon
INFO: This art and craft show will feature artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Admission is $3 to the public, and children under 12 are free. It will also have a full concessions stand on site provided by the venue, and a portion of proceeds will benefit the local nonprofit, Smiles for Sophie Forever.
WHEN:10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 25
WHERE: 5th Street Arcades, 530 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
INFO:WinterLand is downtown Cleveland’s kickoff to the holiday season. Hosted by Cleveland Bazaar, it will feature local and handmade gifts and more.
Summit Artspace Artists Sunday
WHEN: Noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 26
WHERE:Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron
INFO: Artists Sunday, celebrated the Sunday after Thanksgiving, is a national campaign to encourage shoppers to purchase from local artists and give unique artworks as gifts. Summit Artspace, Akron Soul Train, Akron Bazaar, Northside Marketplace and more downtown Akron arts organizations and businesses are partnering to encourage visitors to shop downtown over the weekend. The event at Summit Artspace will feature a variety of handcrafted gifts with 25-plus local artist pop-up vendors, in addition to its 25 resident artist studios, on all three floors of its building.
WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1; noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 2; noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 3
WHERE: Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood shops and galleries
INFO: Galleries and shops in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood will host their holiday art walk, where passersby can find artistic gifts and also enjoy dinner at the array of local restaurants the neighborhood has to offer. Physical copies of ArtWalk maps will be available at Little Italy galleries, merchants and restaurants during the event; digital versions will also be available.
“In my travels, I’ve noticed that successful communities have residents who collect exclusively from their own region because they have pride in where they live and what is produced there. Among the places where I have noticed this are Minneapolis … Raleigh, N.C., all of California and certainly all of Texas. We do still have some ‘Cleveland School’ art collectors. It would be a wonderful thing to expand the community of collectors for the very fine art being made in this area today.”
Lee Heinen, artist
Cleveland Institute of Art
WHAT: Student Holiday Sale
WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
INFO: Shop for creative, handmade gifts made by CIA’s students. Choose from glass art, necklaces, earrings, ornaments, ceramic cups, bowls, scarfs, shirts, tote bags, stuffed animals, posters, prints, greeting cards, stickers, bookmarks, zines and many other unique gifts. In 2023, nearly 80 students – majoring in craft and design, sculpture and expanded media, illustration and more – will have items available for sale.
WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
INFO: Works of art by CIA faculty, students and alumni will be sold for $100 each (or in denominations of $100) in this student-organized show and sale. Patrons can select a work and take it home. All proceeds go toward the annual spring break student trip to visit galleries and museums in New York City or other cities. In 2022, more than 200 paintings and drawings by 30 CIA students, alumni and faculty members were available.
“At the Cleveland Institute of Art, shopping the Student Holiday Sale and 100 Show + Sale means you’re helping young artists and designers pursue their creative careers. In many cases, CIA students invest what they earn into expanding and growing their practices or into organizing trips with classmates to national art and design conferences. In general, buying holiday gifts directly from local artists means you’re supporting the regional economy and helping keep Northeast Ohio a strong, vibrant creative community.”
Michael C. Butz, communications director,
Cleveland Institute of Art
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Lake Affect Studios, 1615 E. 25th St., Cleveland
INFO: Join Lake Affect Studios and Cleveland Bazaar for an east side holiday shopping event. In addition to local and handmade makers, resident artists will have their studios open. Food, drinks and more will also be available.
WHEN: Starting at 10 a.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar
INFO: Historic Zoar Village will be decked out for the holiday season, with self-guided tours available. Extended shopping opportunities can be found at the Zoar store, Bakery, Bimeler Museum, Gartenhaus Shop and the Stars of Zoar Co-op as well as some privately owned shops.
The Butler Institute American Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3
WHERE: Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown
INFO: The Butler’s American Holiday show features over 70 artisans in handcrafted jewelry, woodworking, glass, fine art and photography, chocolates, cheeses and many other items. From noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 there will be fine art appraisals by the Bonfoey Company in the Western Collection gallery, second floor. And from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1, the Butler will host a preview; members receive an invitation in the mail, but non-members can call for information. Admission is $5, children 12 and under are free.
Artists at the Twist’s 35th annual Holiday Show and Sale
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 2; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3
WHERE: Cleveland Twist Drill Building, 1242 E. 49th St., Cleveland
INFO: The Artists at the Twist’s 35th annual Holiday Show and Sale will feature 55 artists in a variety of disciplines, including wood, glass, jewelry, visual arts, clothing, accessories and decor. Free admission and parking on site.
WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8
WHERE: The Morgan Conservatory, 1754 E. 47th St., Cleveland
INFO: Mingle with artist members, enjoy light refreshments and shop The Morgan Conservatory’s store for holiday gifts during the opening reception for the Morgan Maker’s Exhibition.
2023 Solon Hometown Holiday Market
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9
WHERE: City of Solon Recreation Center, 35000 Portz Parkway, Solon
INFO: This city-wide Solon event is free, inviting attendees to celebrate the holiday season while shopping local. This handmade market will feature artists and crafters selling their original items.
Cleveland Bazaar at 78th Street Studios
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 9; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 10
WHERE: 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland
INFO: Cleveland Bazaar’s biggest show of the season will take place at the building where the bazaar started 19 years ago – 78th Street Studios. It features two days of shopping local and handmade with more than 125 Bazaar artists, resident artist studios, food trucks and more.
Holiday Market at the Screw Factory
WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 15; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 16; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 17
WHERE: Screw Factory, 13000 Athens Ave., Lakewood
INFO: At the Screw Factory Holiday Market, more than 40 resident artists will open their studios, along with over 80 visiting artists on all three floors of the building. This shopping event is free and open to the public.
The Holiday Shop at Market Square
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 16; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 17
WHERE: Crocker Park, 239 Market St., Westlake
INFO: Hometown Vendors LLC will host its Holiday Shop at Market Square in Crocker Park. Different craft vendors are scheduled for each day. Admission is free, and reservations are available at the link below.
“Creative people love to create. Artists yearn to create from an inner cellular passion. Local artisans create uniqueness for the holidays. Without strong community support, local artists would no longer be local because they would move on to other communities where their art is supported. Local artisans create uniqueness for the holidays.”
Victoria Koehn, owner,
Koehn Sculptors’ Sanctuary on Green
“Nativity” and “Tree of Life” by Norbert and Victoria Koehn. Three-piece family, sugar pine wood; “Tree of Life” relief, 24 inches tall, oak wood. Photo courtesy of Koehn Sculptors’ Sanctuary on Green.
Koehn Sculptors’ Sanctuary on Green 44th annual Open House & Christkindlmarket
WHEN: Now through Dec. 27; Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Koehn Sculptors’ Sanctuary on Green, 1936 S. Green Road, South Euclid
INFO: This annual market features gifts from the Koehn Sculptors’ studio and creations from around the world, including German and European decorations, sculptures, jewelry, purses, linens, glass ornaments, nature-themed candles, baby items, cards and more.
