Winter Exhibits And Fairs

By Sophie Vinograd

Just because the temperature drops, doesn't mean you have to lock yourself inside and stay glued to the television. This winter, Baltimore is showcasing a variety of events and exhibits to put you in the holiday spirit – and give you plenty of gift ideas. You may even shorten your Christmas present list! These markets certainly beat being cooped up and watching repeats of holiday movie specials on repeat!

Holiday Heap

Inside St. John's Church
2640 St Paul Street
Baltimore, Md. 21218
Dec. 3, 2011

The Charm City Craft Mafia is Baltimore City's source for craft fairs and related events. Their website promotes work and events through the site, as well as in local stores and outside craft shows. Their winter fair, Holiday Heap, is a juried indie craft fair, open to everyone, free of charge and featuring more than 40 independent crafters and artisans from the extended Baltimore area, and sometimes even further. Holiday Heap is a great way to beat swarms of holiday shoppers at the mall, be creative in your gift giving and support the crafting community.

MICA Art Market

1301 W Mount Royal Ave
Baltimore, Md. 21217
Dec. 8 – 11 2011, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

MICA is a huge asset to Baltimore's art community, and a major resource when it comes to events, exhibits, promotions and related activities. From Dec. 8  – 11, MICA is hosting their third annual Art Market in Brown Center's Leidy Atrium, Falvey Hall lobby and Rosenberg Gallery. Art Market will feature illustrations, paintings, prints, mosaics, stationary, jewelry and tons of other artistic gifts for sale, all designed and created by MICA students, faculty, alumni and staff.

Notre Dame of Maryland University Holiday Bazaar

4701 N. Charles St
Baltimore, Md. 21210
Dec. 3, 2011

The College of the Notre Dame is also hosting a Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 3. The Bazaar will feature a myriad of gift options, including glassware, gourmet food baskets, handbags and more. Santa will be present at this one, so bring the little ones along!

Baltimore Museum of Art

10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, Md. 21218
(412) 573-1700
Hours: Wed to Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat to Sun 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
www.artbma.org

If you're not looking for specific holiday gifts, and would rather scope some fine art from exotic lands as gifts, the Baltimore Museum of Art is hosting a few wonderful exhibitions that will run all winter long, through early March. Among these exhibits are Hand Held: Personal Arts from Africa, which will display more than 80 visually engaging objects used in daily life in Africa that brilliantly merge artistry and utility. Another escape is the Embroidered Treasures: Textiles from Central Asia exhibition, where visitors can view 14 beautiful, late 19th to early 20th-century textiles, representing both city cultures and nomadic tribes of the time. The American Visionary Art Museum is also a colorful break from cold grey cityscapes, and is always a top contender as a cheerful local vacation to take your mind off of mean Father Winter.