Holidays @ Frank Bette Center

Once again the Frank Bette Center for the Arts will turn its galleries into a wonderland of art created by our talented artisans. We will be featuring jewelry, paper fiber arts, prints, ceramics/mosaics, wood, glass and framed two-dimensional art works 12"x12” or smaller. This year, we will also have a few surprises.

​Reception December 10:  6-8 pm
​Closing date:  Sunday December 18.
Art Pickup:  Sunday December 19, 2021 or by agreement of the gallery.

FA LA LA  
at The Frank Bette Center

by Karen Braun Malpas

Without having to shovel snow or to clear a path to their door, the Frank Bette Center welcomes holiday shoppers to a warm and bright space full of  objects of wonder.

It is gratifying to note over and over again how different we all are. While many artists are showing their wares here, there is no overlapping of taste. Some items are playful, some are not.  Some are holiday-seasonal, others are not. Some are shiny, some are not. Come, see.

A woman who wears the tasteful jewelry designed by Pat  Tostensen and Andrea Taylor will look sophisticated and feel elegant even when she is in confab on Zoom. If a woman receives a sparkly, light-hearted adornment  of beads or charms made by MaryAnn Mock or Karen Wirth, it gives them a reason to shed their pajamas, brush their hair and rise to the season.

There are new babies in the world this Christmas. While they won’t remember this holiday, you will so, give them a baby quilt made by Gail Krbechek and take 
their picture wrapped in it. The child will look at the photo years hence and their parents will say “It goes by so fast.”

​Helen Calhoun loves color and fabric with which she has fashioned cross body purses for cell phones, glasses or extra masks. She made sachets carrying your favorite scent. Some people put these on their pillow to lend an additional welcome to bedtime.

Woodwork and moss art by Ros Harper and Jennifer Freesia bring the beauty of the natural world into the home. Although we cannot surpass the miracles nature has already made, we can draw attention to and celebrate them.

Kris Egan shows impressive ceramic pieces glazed in a dusty blue and green range. Because orange is the compliment of blue, imagine one of these plates with a chunk of bright cheddar on it or a handful of cutie tangerines 

There are many kinds of cards which are distinctly not Hallmarkian such as altered old, one-of-a -kind photos, charming watercolor scenes, and vivid amaryllis prints  (give it with a bulb). There are fused glass ornaments and tiny hand-painted, wool-wrapped sheep to perhaps festoon a houseplant if the cost of cut trees has become untenable.

Creativity in the raw has no cost and it can be found in abundance at FBCA . Supporting local artisans represents support for hands and hearts.