The Art of the Gift

Would you rather be in a gallery than a galleria this month? Here’s a sampling of sales that offer everything from handmade tea bowls to oil paintings.

With thousands of ceramic pieces by sixty artists, the Northern Clay Center’s sale features tons of options, from highly functional handmade mugs to fine sculpture art. $20–$1,000+. Through Dec. 30. 2424 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-339-8007

Here’s your chance to pick up pieces priced in the hundreds from Groveland Gallery’s stable of thirty established artists whose work typically starts in the thousands. Expect small oil studies, watercolors, sketches, and drawings. And everything’s framed and ready to go. $300–$800. Opens Dec. 1. 25 Groveland Terrace, Mpls., 612-377-7800

Highpoint Center for Printmaking’s winter co-op show offers a great range of gift possibilities—with lithographs, etchings, monotypes, and collages from more than thirty of the cooperative’s members. $75–$500. Opens Dec. 1. 2638 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 612-871-1326

Minneapolis College of Art and Design’s annual two-day holiday sale may be one of the most anticipated and one of the largest, with as many as 8,000 pieces of art on the block. The sale, which fills MCAD’s entire main building, features work from students and recent alumni. Purchase tickets to the Friday opening, or go Saturday for a more subdued experience. $5–$1,000. Dec. 1–2. 2501 Stevens Ave. S., Mpls., 612-874-3700

If you’ve ever thought “That’s a cool shirt/drawing/print/et cetera” while browsing Soo Visual Art Center’s shop—Shop Soo Too—the time to act on that impulse is now. Pieces by Sean Tubridy, Marie Gardeski, Bethany Kalk, and dozens of other local artists are discounted during the center’s sale. $1–$250. Nov. 30–Dec. 2. 2640 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 612-871-2263

Outsiders and Others’ holiday art sale pushes the boundaries. Think traditional sweaters transformed into an afghan collage or old socks and recycled wool made into felt fish or one-of-a-kind flower boas. New items are added throughout the run of the sale. $25–$500. Through Dec. 24. Calhoun Sq. (second floor), Mpls., 612-338-3435

Reach Stephanie Xenos at stephaniexenos@yahoo.com.