CO-OP 213 CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS

Ahhh the Holidays. There truly is not much that can be said that already hasn’t been said about the combined splendor and vexation that this time of year brings. How many of you have started shopping?

Those raising their hands are the overachievers, we can ignore them and pretend like their accomplishments don’t intimidate the rest of us. Now, everyone else listen up. I know some of you have been working hard to save up for your holiday shopping, and some of you have been working even harder on homemade gifts. To the latter (sadly myself included) I say give up, because you’ll probably do a double take when you see some of the premade items available at the Cooperative Gallery 213 Holiday Show. No amount of cute heart stickers or sharpie catch phrases on your old mugs will save you from that disappointed look on your mothers face, so put the glue guns and the sparkles down, and put on some pants.

In your predicament you need to go somewhere classy yet casual, and filled with buyable little bobbles or bigger thoughtful gifts. Look no further than the Cooperative Gallery 213.

For the month of December Cooperative Gallery 213 is packed with holiday centered events for all. This isn’t your typical art show, since all month long some 45 or more of the gallery’s supporting and exhibiting members will be showcasing their work for the public to peruse. The show itself isn’t just for art lovers or artists. Betsy Jo Williams, a gallery member coordinated the events, says that as a community centered gallery “There’s room for everybody” and therefore when the artwork comes out for the holidays, there’s something that will interest everybody. The holiday show plays a huge part of fundraising for the gallery itself, helping it continue to provide the community with educational art events all year long, and helping to support the artists as well.

The public will have the opportunity to see work that has been reserved specifically for this show, like jewelry, ornaments, and many other items that only come out this time of year. While talking about just what types of items are available, Betsy Jo says “We have people who make ornaments in clay, some in metal, and some in paper,” and that there are even some painters that make big paintings normally who choose to reduce their work to smaller pieces that can be hung as a seasonal decoration or given as a gift. A number of the artists who have featured ornament centered art are John Chubbuck (porcelain clay), Sharon DiGennaro (clay), James Hargrave (copper), Nancy Ryan (clay), John Samel (clay), Amy McLaren (small prints on canvas), and Paulett Hackman (folded paper cranes, which sold out opening night last year). Artists featuring holiday cards include Bill Gorman, Theresa Madsen, and Shirley Ernest. Other handmade artwork like painted silk scarves, jewelry, pottery, wood and glass items, fabric art, garden art, and even furniture, will also make an appearance at the show.

More than anything else, Betsy speaks highly of the closeness and warmth this time of year brings for their gallery members, some of whom don’t have the chance to meet until opening night where they get to see all their work on display together.

“I love our opening because it’s a time when out supporting members are here with their family and friends and anyone is welcome to come in. This is the time that all of gallery gets together and has a party. It’s a chance for everyone to get to know each other.”

Looking at the event roster itself and the extended seasonal hours, it is clear that this is a very important time of year for the gallery. Starting December 3rd is the elegant gala opening reception, which will take place between 6-8pm. Following that at 2pm on the 12th is a tour with artist Mary Rose Griffin, where artists from the gallery come and answer questions about their work. The day after, on December 13th, there is the holiday brunch from 11am-2pm. December 19th holds a storytelling time with actress Janet Normile, starting at 2pm. At 1pm that day there will also be a musical performance by Doug Emonnon Bubert. Community members and newcomers are invited to attend any and all events to see what this season of art at the Cooperative Gallery 213 has in store.

Cooperative Gallery 213 is located on Artist’s Row in Downtown Binghamton.