Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Unique gifts for the art afficiando
By Allyson Jacob
ArtWorks, the local arts-based job training program that gives local teens a chance, is having a holiday sale. For those folks on holiday gift lists who remain a gift-buying enigma, the sale provides an opportunity to give a one-of-a-kind creation that is certain to be remembered.
ArtWorks is an arts-based employment and job-training program for youth in the Greater Cincinnati region. Founded in 1996, the program gives talented teenagers from all over the Greater Cincinnati area an opportunity to work, learn and earn in summer jobs as apprentice artists.
The ArtWorks holiday sale runs now through Tuesday, Dec. 23 at the ArtWorks Time Warner Cable Gallery on Race St. downtown. It's open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for your viewing pleasure.
So what will you find at the sale? "All things ArtWorks," says Kat Yankowski, who handles marketing for the non-profit organization. There are painted park benches, working weathervanes and whirlygigs, Big Pig Gig merchandise, t-shirts, tote bags, batik pillows, handmade drum frames, and a couple of sculptures from Bats Incredible!, the latest ArtWorks venture that brought baseball and art to the center of the city.
Most of the proceeds from the holiday sale will benefit ArtWorks directly, with one notable exception. The profits from the Bats Incredible! sculpture sales will be split between ArtWorks, the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, and the charity of the buyer's choice.
According to Colleen Stanton, summer production manager for ArtWorks, the sale is going "really well. There's been a lot of interest off the street."
Yankowski encourages anyone even remotely interested to take a wander through the gallery. "There are some really great deals," she explains. "There are things that you won't find anywhere else in Cincinnati."
Finally, buyers can feel good about their purchases, knowing that the money they spend will ultimately provide jobs and arts experiences for at-risk teens in the Greater Cincinnati area. It's a gift that goes far beyond the holiday season.
Allyson Jacob is a freelance writer and playwright living just outside of Cincinnati.
Return to regular view
