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Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Brouillard à Guernsey"
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Don't sink into gift despair yet: you're sure to find some distinctive gifts amongst all the holiday exhibitions and shops, so read on ...
On Friday, head for the Final Friday Gallery Walk on north Main Street in Over-the-Rhine for an eclectic mix of galleries, shops and restaurants for your viewing (and tasting) pleasure. Make sure to stop by BASE GALLERY (1225 Main St.) for their holiday show, Wired Again, featuring more than a dozen artists, including BRAD AUSTIN SMITH, CHRISTOPHER WILSON and TIM FOLZENLOGEN. The exhibition will feature a variety of art by this cooperative artist group, including a hieroglyphics installation and gift paintings. Check out some fun and funky art and work off your Thanksgiving dinner from the day before. Because it's holiday (and shopping) Friday, Base's hours are noon to midnight. Wired Again is on view through Dec. 26. ...
If you're feeling ambitious enough to make some holiday gifts (or even if you're not), join VISIONARIES AND VOICES (2515 Essex Place, No. 172, Walnut Hills) Dec. 3 and 4 for their holiday celebration, Art in Unexpected Places. The artists will offer "artistic guidance" to you if want to make holiday cards and crafts -- or you can enjoy the exhibition along with dancing and food. In addition, take in the Wall of Raymond, a tribute to Visionaries and Voices artist Raymond Thunder-Sky, referred to by many as the "construction clown," who passed away earlier this month. It will include some of the drawings, costumes and photographs for which he was well known. 6-11 p.m. Dec. 3-4. ...
While at the Essex Studios, you can head upstairs to BROWNSTONE STUDIO (2515 Essex Place, No. 243, Walnut Hills) for their holiday event and sale. A fine art and custom framing studio, Brownstone will feature artist JOEL THOMPSON, who creates contemporary paintings for many occasions. Have a piece of art, but need it framed? Bring a friend with you and receive great discounts on custom framing. Sounds like they've thought of everything; you just need to get there. 6-11 p.m. Dec. 3-4. ...
Take a detour on your way home and stop by KENNEDY HEIGHTS ARTS CENTER (6546 Montgomery Road) for its inaugural holiday event, WinterFest. The center will provide tours of its holiday guild exhibition, which features pieces by artists who have their permanent studios in the center. Or you can sip hot cider and listen to the sounds of local choirs and choruses as they sweeten the atmosphere with seasonal singing. As if that's not enough, the center will also be taking part in tree lightings, luminaria and house tours in surrounding Kennedy Heights and Pleasant Ridge. Sounds like a great way to get in the spirit. Dec. 3. Call 513-631-4278 for times. ...
Find a one-of-a-kind gift and have some terrific hot chocolate when you visit CAFECITO/STUDIO METROPOLITAN (1335 Main St., Over-the-Rhine). Part funky vintage store/art gallery and part coffee shop, this space is excellent for finding distinctive gifts -- anything from handmade bags, jewelry and dishes to vintage luggage and furniture. They also feature a monthly rotation of artists' work, so your shopping can extend to the walls. Open daily, Monday-Saturday, as well as Final Fridays, 6-10 p.m. ...
If the craft side of arts appeals to you, don't miss the 26th annual WINTERFAIR, a juried sale of fine arts by nearly 300 artists from across the country, working in jewelry, wood, glass, ceramics and wearable art. It happens Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington. ($7; kids under 12 are free) Info: www.ohiocraft.org ...
The Cincinnati Art Museum bought itself a nice Christmas gift last week -- a major new acquisition: "Brouillard à Guernsey" (Fog at Guernsey) by French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It's the most expensive painting CAM has ever purchased. Previously, CAM had no paintings by Renoir. Painted in the summer of 1883, the work depicts fog over the water of the Moulin Huet Bay, a popular resort off the southern coast of the Isle of Guernsey. The painting was immediately put on display, and it's a lovely compliment to the current temporary showing of four late water lily paintings by Claude Monet, on view through January. Thanks to another nice gift -- this one in 2003 from the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation -- admission to the Museum's permanent collection is free every day.
