Davis Art Center Holiday Sale 2010

Monica K talking olive oil with a Holiday Sale patron.
The Davis Art Center’s 20th Annual Holiday Sale fuels spirit, stamina for the community-based organization while providing a unique holiday shopping experience for Davis-Sacramento residents

During stifling economic times, successful arts organizations may be likened to “The Little Engine That Could.”  At the Davis Art Center, it’s the annual Holiday Sale that works as the fuel for the art center’s self-sustaining engine. The family-friendly event, which usually features 70 artisan booths, takes place Friday through Sunday, December 3-5.

The Holiday Sale is the core fundraiser for the art center, and is a memorable experience for all on-board. From handmade knitted scarves and one-of-a-kind wall art to ceramic teapots and Yummy Dummy natural chocolate bars (made in Davis), there are plenty of exceptional locally produced items for shoppers to browse. And there’s lots of food too: The Holiday Café serves homemade soups, macaroni and cheese, salads and more. Not to mention the kettle corn vendor just outside the building.

The Holiday Sale planning process starts early. A committee screens the vendor applications months ahead of time for quality and variety.  Fifteen percent of the sales go toward the art center’s education and class funds.

At the sale, kids can do their own shopping for mom and dad in the Children's Secret Store or make gifts in the kids’ craft-making booth. The art center sells over 7,000 pieces in the secret store, all priced between $1 and $6. Children go in without their parents, and volunteers help them choose and wrap presents. 

Attendees can also bid on handmade wreaths and artists’ plates as well as take a turn in the pottery-painting studio. The money from the wreath auction goes to the Davis Art Center’s Foster Children Fund, which helps pay for arts workshops for foster children in Woodland and West Sacramento. Part of this money is also given to foster children to shop at the secret store. The artists’ plate auction funds go toward the Gerald Wooliever Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to the winner of the high school juried art show in the spring. 

The history of the Holiday Sale is a lengthy one. During the ’60s, the center sold arts and crafts in downtown storefronts. In 1991, Vicki Plutchok, Sharna Hoffman, Carol Lee Coss, Ruth Shumway and others made it into a 3-day sale that reflects the current event format. Now, there’s a committee of 32 individuals who work on the sale all year, many of whom have been involved since the beginning. Roughly 200 volunteers also contribute.

The Davis Art Center was founded in 1960 to promote the appreciation and execution of the visual and performing arts through classes, exhibits, performances and special events. Community members interested in supporting the art center, local artisans and small businesses are encouraged to stop by and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts. 

Where: Davis Art Center, 1919 F Street, Davis, CA 95616.

Admission: Free!

Artists, Please click here for 2010 application.

Friday    Dec. 3    Noon- 7 pm
Saturday   Dec. 4  10 am- 6 pm
Sunday      Dec. 5  10 am-5 pm


70 Artisan's booths

Children's Secret Store
Pottery Painting Studio
Cafe
Wreath and Plate Auction

Participating Artists in 2009:
Please click on names to see artist's websites.


Atoinette Hine

Glenda Jordan 
 
Diana Kwan  


Alexis LeCount / Carolyn Weil

Gwen Anderson
Jima & Carlie Abbott
Susan Ashdown
Marise Cherin
Jason Dayne
Suki Diamond
Vliki Dyan
Lucy Della Rosa / Sharon McCallum

Melody Ewey
Victor Gabriel
Ted Groves
Yelena Ivashehenko


Monica Keller
Gayle Lorraine
Osman Maiwandy
Irene Nicolas
John Rigoli
Jan Schubert
Toshi & Shizuko Shichishima

Wendy Simmons
Robina Slizeski
Lyn Swan
Kayoko Designs