Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, there’s an essential shop in town for anyone hoping to keep their Christmas purchases local this year.
The Station House Gallery’s month-long Christmas market is up and running, with more than 75 different artisans.
The Station House is open daily from now until Christmas Eve and restocks items throughout the month with new gifts.
“Almost everything here is local, made by local hand craftsmen and artists,” says Diane Toop, executive director for the gallery.
“We have books, pottery, jewelry of course, artwork, stained glass paintings, lots of woodwork this year, shelves, local music,” she says, in a list that could continue.
The downstairs of the gallery is an array of beautiful items - from clothing to Christmas decorations. Each time you wander through the display something new jumps to light.
“We always have a good show here and lots of people come through, and people come through even up to ten times throughout the month,” says Toop. “Of course, Kim’s chocolates keep bringing them in.”
Items at the market range from $5 to $500.
“Every pocketbook can be covered.”
The gallery even has a new feature this year. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the Station House was able to install a new furnace and buy all new LED lights in order to lower their hydro bill.
“We’ve needed a new furnace for six years,” says Toop, adding a thanks to Degree Management for installing the furnace.
The old furnace has been in the gallery since before 1981 when the Station House Gallery Society took over the building.
People looking to support local artisans, and who may have missed the craft fairs, will feel right at home ducking out of the cold and into the warm rooms of the Station House for their shopping this year.
“There is just so much diversity here and its all handcrafted. You just don’t find that very often. We’re lucky,” says Toop.
“Come down and support your local artists and your public art gallery.”
