Unique holiday gifts await at The Gallery Shop

Looking for creative gifts that also support Guelph’s creative community? The Gallery Shop at the Art Gallery of Guelph is your one-stop resource for artful giving.

Supporting the work of artists and artisans, the Gallery Shop is your destination for handmade and fair trade gifts, pottery, jewelry, and more. Highlighting the importance of craftsmanship, creativity, and design, each product is unique, making for a shopping experience like no other.

Bringing together a range of local as well as international makers, artists receive a portion of each sale and all revenues from the shop support the Art Gallery of Guelph’s acquisition program, ensuring the collection is always growing and reflects a diversity of experiences and perspectives.

Alongside perennial favourites like Anishinaabe artist Naomi Smith’s beaded strawberries, Guelph local Chris Hierlihy’s playful pottery, Fair Trade certified™ textiles from Hamro Village, and AGG’s bear masks and totes bags, new additions to the shop include beadwork by Cayuga artist Erin Szikora, Winter Art Kits for kids with 12 days of creative projects, and the paintings of local artist Lyn Westfall.

Chris Hierlihy, Bear Pottery. Photo credit - Dean Palmer

“I am delighted to be included as a new artist, as I have often admired the quality and variety of artworks displayed at The Gallery Shop,” says Westfall. “It has a cheerful, colourful, welcoming atmosphere, where you can always count on finding that one-of-a-kind treasure!”

Operated by the Art Gallery of Guelph Volunteer Association, executive member Joanne Poluch adds, “It’s a place where you can find one-of-a-kind artisanal gifts, such as specialty pottery and handcrafted jewelry, stained glass artworks and locally-made cards and books like our latest addition to the shop, The Making of a Museum by former AGG Director Judith Nasby.

The Gallery Shop also provides an opportunity for art lovers to purchase or rent art from our talented regional artists. If you are looking for something truly unique as a gift for someone special or simply a small treasure just for you, The Gallery Shop is your destination.”

This holiday season, and beyond, support your local artists and fair trade goods. Visit The Gallery Shop Tues – Sun, 12 p.m. – 5pm, and have a sneak peak at what’s in store by visiting the shop online. Take advantage of The Gallery Shop tax-free sale, on now until the end of December.