ARC Creative Studios, a combination studio space and gallery shared by thirteen local artists, hosted a reception to mark its latest exhibit, Art Gifts for Christmas. Michael Brokop, ARC's gallery co-ordinator, describes the art on offer as "small items for Christmas giving" ranging in price from $15 to $200.
With work by thirteen local artists, as well as exhibits by visiting artists often featured, the beauty of ARC lies in its variety. Its gallery space is filled with pottery, canvas paintings and mixed media, masks and woodwork by visiting artist Gordon Munn.
With Christmas approaching, Brokop says they wanted to encourage North Battleford residents to consider shopping locally when gift giving this year.
"Art is for giving, in terms of when you have a person who has everything, why not give them something they can visually appreciate," Brokop said, adding wittingly, "and small pictures can go anywhere."
As opposed to going to Saskatoon to buy something mass produced, Brokop says, "this way, there's a personal touch and you're supporting a local artist and I think that's always positive."
Chris Hodge, an artist at ARC, says Munn's display of woodwork — featuring spoons, bowls, sculpture and wine stoppers — was brought back to the gallery in time for Christmas because it's perfect for gifting.
Munn, who lives on a farm out of town, says most of his pieces are made from local wood, including Manitoba maple and caragana. Although not every piece is from so close to home. Munn says he also orders wood from British Columbia that he can't find locally, including walnut and purple heart.
For his part, Hodge, whose latest pieces have featured figures and portraits done with acrylic, says he paints mainly for his own enjoyment and jokes that he doesn't expect someone to buy the large, painted canvas hanging in his studio area for a Christmas gift. Even still, Hodge has smaller acrylic pieces available, as well.
The gallery portion of ARC, which shows off pieces admirably with its large windows letting in natural light, is located in the front of the space, directly when you enter. ARC, located 1002 - 101st street, is open Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
