BAYarts Holiday Shop opens for the season

This picture shows one section of last year's holiday shop, which expands out into the entire first floor of the BAYarts Huntington House.

The annual and much-anticipated BAYarts Holiday Shop kicks off the season with an open house weekend on Nov. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alongside the usual shop offerings, BAYarts has expanded the experience with their "Deck the Walls" gallery experience of affordable art on display that can be purchased right off the walls. And as always, there will also be the Fuller Coffee Kiosk serving handmade pastries and warm drinks, including the special Hot Chocolate bar. 

Vibrant new shop manager Linda Goik is bringing many new artists into the shop, as well as including the traditional favorites. Look for: Toot Sweet Soap Shack's natural sugar scrubs, stuffed animals by Whimsy Folk, original watercolor illustration by Angela Oster, beaded earrings by Arts Paradis, wooden home decor pieces by The Crafty Buggar, photography by Al Fuchs and Larry Kasperak, and printed goods by Fourfishink.

As a special during the open house weekend, there will be a ceramics sale going on in the new studio.

Executive Director Nancy Heaton has solid reasons for why people should shop local as they buy gifts for friends and family this holiday season.

"You get to hone in on items tailored to where you live, and you can see that in many of our shop shirts and ornaments that proudly have images and names of Ohio, Cleveland, Bay Village, Lakewood, Lake Erie. ... What's wonderful is that you learn about these local artisans, so you actually know and have talked those who made the candles you have in your home, or who knit the scarf you're wearing. That's special."

There are also additional reasons that add to the cause. "By encouraging your community you support local jobs and businesses that then give back," says Heaton. "So, in embracing what makes where we live unique, you also make it thrive in an economic sense. Statistics prove that money spent at local businesses generate more wealth for the local economy. Shopping local in NE Ohio is going to directly help NE Ohio, and that's one of the reasons for why we're so passionate about promoting local artists year-round. Our mission is to nurture the community."

The shop will remain up until Christmas, and there are several events scheduled during the season, which can be found on the bayarts.net website.

BAYarts Holiday Shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m.; and Sundays noon-5 p.m. There is always free gift wrapping and holiday music.