IT’S NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT to support artists and buy local. Fortunately, with vaccination rates on the rise, the region’s galleries, studios and collectives are back this year, after the long pandemic pause. To help you through the holiday shopping season, here’s CAN Journal’s annual list of festive, seasonal markets.

 

November 5-December 31

HEIGHTS ARTS HOLIDAY STORE

While Heights Arts always expands its year-round store for the holidays, this year the Holiday Store will take over the entire gallery. It’ll be packed with the work of more than 100 local artists in a wide range of media, some of whose work is regularly carried there and some newcomers. The store is restocked throughout the season as things are sold, so stop in several times. It’s open seven days a week starting December 1. heightsarts.org

 

November 6-December 24

LA COSECHA GALERIA HOLIDAY MARKET

La Cosecha Galeria is a west-side space that primarily showcases the work of Hispanic artists. It’ll be hosting its annual holiday market through Christmas Eve, and brightening up Black Friday, November 26, with its 50% off holiday sale featuring work by owner/artist Topiltzin, among others, starting at 6 p.m. lacosechagaleria.com

 

November 19-December 17

E11EVEN2 GALLERY HOLIDAY SHOWCASE

E11even2 Gallery at 78^th Street Studios specializes in affordable art with a pop-culture slant so everyone will likely find something to buy at its annual Holiday Showcase exhibit, which opens during November’s Third Friday @ 5-9 p.m. You’ll find stocking stuffers from a wide variety of local artists, most of whom do small, inexpensive and often amusing pieces. facebook.com/e11even2

 

 

November 19, December 11-12 & December 17

ARTNEO: DRAWN TO CLAY

ARTneo’s current show, Drawn to Clay, features the work of northeast Ohio ceramicists. In keeping with that theme, it’ll be hosting a special holiday ceramics sale during the November and December Third Fridays at its 78^th Street Studios location, as well as on the December 11-12 days the Cleveland Holiday Bazaar will be in the building. Regular business hours are 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. artneo.org

 

 

November 20-December 24

BAYARTS HOLIDAY SHOP

BAYarts’ Annual Holiday Shop features hundreds of local artists and creators in all genres and mediums. You can pick up a wide range of items, from greeting cards to home décor to soaps to jewelry to books by local authors to an original oil painting. It’s open seven days a week through Christmas Eve. It kicks off with an open house on Saturday November 20. bayarts.net

 

November 20-December 24

MANSFIELD ART CENTER HOLIDAY FAIR

Mansfield Art Center’s 52nd Annual Holiday Fair showcases Ohio artists and designers, with fine art, functional crafts and lots of items suitable for gift-giving. Look for artists who are familiar to regular visitors as well as some first-timers. mansfieldartcenter.org

 

November 26-29

PRAMA ARTSPACE SHOP

Like many galleries, Parma’s only fine arts gallery, Prama Art Space, has a small shop featuring local works including postcards, graphic books, earrings and other small items. Over Thanksgiving it will be expanding that selection when the entire gallery becomes a Christmas boutique with affordable, handmade items and works of art by local creators. pramaartspace.com

 

November 26 – December 17

CAN JOURNAL MARKET

Artists and makers on CAN Journal’s Board and Staff are accomplished painters, printmakers, photographers, and more. You’ll find paintings, artist books, prints, ephemera, craft items and other holiday goodies by Liz Maugans, Marcello Mellino, Michael Gill, Jada Hobson, Karen Petkovic, Gina Washington, JoAnn Dickey Leah Trznadel, Tara Tonsetic, and Gary Williams. Your purchase supports local artists, and also CAN Journal.
CAN Market is open: 11 to 4 pm Black Friday Nov. 26; 11 to 4 pm Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, Cleveland Bazaar December 11 and 12; 5-9 pm the Third Friday in December. Information here.

 

November 27

HILDEBRANDT PROVISIONS COMPANY
Hildebrandt Building in Cleveland’s Clark Avenue neighborhood is home to many artists and local food businesses. Come meet them and buy from them during the annual Holiday at the Hildebrandt open house, running from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. You’ll find artists who work in wood, glass, yarn, clay, paint, photography, jewelry and more, and makers of tea, coffee, fermented foods, sweets, and honey products. There’ll also be guest vendors in their new vendors mall. Masks are required in the building. hildebrandtco.com

 

November 27-28

AKRON CRAFTY MART AT BOUNCE INNOVATION HUB

Akron’s long-running maker market Crafty Mart will be showing off its new permanent space, Carbon Black Event Space at Bounce Innovation Hub, in downtown Akron when it holds its 13th annual holiday show. In addition to an array of vendors, there’ll be food, drinks (including adult beverages), music, DIY workshops, a raffle and a selfie station to let friends know you were there. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. craftymart.org

 

November 27-December 19

WATERLOO ARTS HOLIDAY CO-OP

The popular Waterloo Arts Holiday Co-op Sale is a regular event (in non-pandemic years) featuring the work of northeast Ohio artists, many of whom are in the gallery during prime weekend shopping hours working their own tables and interacting with visitors. It’s open Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Fridays from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. waterlooarts.org

 

November 27-December 23

MORGAN CONSERVATORY HOLIDAY MARKET

Morgan’s annual Holiday Market features handmade, one-of-a-kind work by its members (and anyone could join to participate) in a variety of mediums, not just paper. The offerings range from little pins and postcards to large, intricate fine art work to fit every budget and taste. In addition, this year you’ll be able to shop online as well as in the gallery, starting November 27, with pieces available for pick-up or delivery. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. morganconservatory.org

 

November 28

SUMMIT ARTSPACE ARTISTS SUNDAY

Summit Artspace celebrates Artists Sunday during the post-Thanksgiving weekend, when its multi-floor downtown Akron space is filled with pop-up vendors and its resident artists open their doors for holiday shopping from noon-5 p.m. It’s free and family-friendly. summitartspace.org

 

December 3

ARTICLE HOLIDAY SHOW AND SALE

Article on Waterloo is both a gallery and an artist space with studios in the back. The artists of Article will be holding a holiday show and sale that opens during Walk All Over Waterloo, Friday December 3, from 6-10 p.m. For additional December hours go to facebook.com/artincleveland.

 

December 3

WATERLOO ARTS ART OF THE ORNAMENT

Waterloo Arts has put out a call for artists and crafters to design and create unique ornaments for its annual one-night-only Art of the Ornament silent auction, a fundraiser for the nonprofit gallery. You can come see the dozens of ornaments contributed each year, hang out in the café space, and bid in person from 6-9 p.m. or bid online at Waterloo Arts’ website. You get to take home the ornament(s) you won at the end of the evening. waterlooarts.org

 

December 3-4

CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART STUDENT HOLIDAY SALE

The Cleveland Institute of Art has produced many significant artists, and you might discover work by a star of the future at CIA’s student holiday sale. You’ll find their work in glass, metal, ceramics, photography and more on view and on sale Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Going on during the same hours will be the 100 Show and Sale, offering work by faculty, students and friends of CIA, each priced at $100. Proceeds benefit the annual student spring break trip to visit galleries and museums. cia.edu/events/2021/12/2021-student-holiday-sale

 

December 3-5

ARTCRAFT BUILDING SHOW AND SALE

While the Artcraft Building has been sold and many of its artist tenants will be relocating (including the Cleveland Print Room on the ground floor), they’re forging ahead with the 33^rd Annual Artcraft show & sale, a three-day open studio event that puts buyers face-to-face with artists, both resident artists/makers and guest vendors who fill corridors and open spaces. You’ll find jewelry, glass, paintings, clay, furniture, clothing, food, and perfume, among other things. Hours are Friday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. artcraftstudio.wordpress.com

 

December 3 – 23

ZYGOTE PRESS OFF THE WALL HOLIDAY SHOW

Zygote Press’ Off the Wall Holiday Show and Members Sale features primarily locally created fine prints (many made right there at the Zygote studio), which you can buy and take with you. Their shop also offers small items such as mugs, t-shirts, postcards, notebooks and more, and you can browse their regular stock of prints as well. They’re open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m, and Sunday noon-5 p.m., or by appointment. Only ten people are allowed in the gallery at one time, and masks are required. zygotepress.com

 

December 3-10

CLEVELAND PRINT ROOM OFF THE WALL MEMBERS SHOW

Each year, the Cleveland Print Room puts out a call to its members, who include some of the area’s top photographers, for its Off the Wall Members show, featuring a wide variety of photography-based images, from digital prints to traditional and vintage processes to mixed-media work. Buy one of the striking images on display and take it home with you immediately. clevelandprintroom.com

 

December 4-5

YOUNGSTOWN HOLIDAY FLEA

This year’s return of the Youngstown Holiday Flea will offer two days of affordable gift shopping at its new home at 365 East Boardman. You’ll find T-shirts, candles, organic skin care products, kitchen tools, candles, macramé items, hair fashions, vintage wear, and other locally made arts and crafts. Hours are Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. youngstownflea.com

 

December 5

LAKE AFFECT STUDIOS MARKET

The long-running Cleveland Bazaar presents shows throughout the year leading up to its monster holiday show at 78^th Street Studios December 11-12. The previous weekend, it hosts a smaller holiday sale on the second floor of Lake Affect Studios for those who want a less overwhelming shopping experience that still offers a large variety of local artists, makers and craftspeople, with food and a full bar available. You’ll find some of the building’s resident artists and businesses open for shopping as well. Hours are noon-6 p.m. clevelandbazaar.org

 

December 10-30

STELLA’S ART GALLERY HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

Stella’s Art Gallery in Willoughby will be turning its main gallery into a holiday boutique with longer hours and expanded space for artists to display their wares. It’s kicking it off with a meet-and-greet weekend December 10^th from 6-9 p.m. and December 11^th from 10-4 p.m. If you buy from the artists this weekend, the gallery will waive its commission. Booths will be open Monday from 1-5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. stellasartgallery.com

 

Saturday December 11

PIVOT CENTER HOLIDAY MARKET

The new Pivot Center of Dance, Art and Expression, which opened this year, is hosting a free, one-day open house and holiday market Saturday December 11 @ noon-4 p.m. Vendors of all types will be in the building, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn what’s going on there, including Future Ink Graphics, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s community space, LatinUs theater and social services groups such as the Rape Crisis Center. Pivotcenter.com

 

December 11-12

LGBT CENTER QUEER THE HALLS

In 2019, the LGBT Center in Gordon Square held its first Queer the Halls Artisan Market and Holiday Fest, featuring gifts with an LGBTQ+ slant or appeal to an LGBTQ+ crowd and their allies. Luckily, a pandemic break didn’t put the kibbosh on the event, which returns this year for two days. They’re promising entertainment and a safe space to hang out and meet friendly, like-minded people. lgbtcleveland.org

 

December 11-12

CLEVELAND BAZAAR

Cleveland Bazaar is Cleveland’s oldest maker fair, and it hosts events throughout the year. But its biggest annual event is its holiday sale, which fills up virtually every space in the vast 78^th Street Studios building with local, regional and even national artists and craftspeople of selling virtually every type of handmade item you can conceive of. You’ll also find many of the building’s resident artists and galleries open during the event so it’s a shopping paradise for people looking for unique gifts for diverse family members and friends. clevelandbazaar.org

 

December 10-11

818 STUDIO HOLIDAY MARKET

Barbara Merritt’s cozy second floor gallery just off Tremont’s Professor Avenue will be hosting its first Holiday Market during Walkabout Tremont on December 10 from 5-9 p.m. and also on December 11 from 3-7 p.m. Enjoy holiday cookies while shopping the work of a dozen distinctive artists and artisans, ranging from photographers to knitters. merrittphoto.com/818studios

 

December 17-19

SCREW FACTORY ARTISTS HOLIDAY SHOW AT THE LAKE ERIE BUILDING

During the Screw Factory Artists Holiday Show, most of the resident studios, galleries and shops are open for visitors to meet and buy directly from ceramicists, painters, jewelers, vintage collectors, home décor designers and more. Pop-up vendors offering a variety of art, crafts and locally made items such as candles, cookies and body care products fill the building’s event spaces; and refreshments are available to fortify shoppers. screwfactoryartists.org