MN-Made Holiday Shopping Cheat Sheet: Pop-up shops and last-minute art fairs

Are you starting to panic? Do you have more names than not yet to check off your holiday gift list? Have no fear. I’ve got some last-minute art fairs and pop-up shops that will help you fill those stockings and deck the halls with cool, one-of-a-kind, locally made wares, even if you’ve saved your holiday shopping to the last minute.

________________________________________________________

Local Designer Sample Sale
Friday, December 16, 7 – 9 pm
Cliché, Minneapolis

For one night only, you can pick up chic, local fashions for a steal – find samples from area designers for up to 50% off retail — at this popular Uptown clothing store.

Midway’s Monster Drawing Rally
Saturday, December 17, 6 – 10 pm
Midway Contemporary Art, Minneapolis

Okay – so you can read all about this annual blow-out and its stellar line-up of participating local artists elsewhere on the blog. But keep in mind: this isn’t just a fabulously art-filled evening in support of one of our state’s most lauded contemporary art galleries, it’s also an opportunity to score an original piece by some of the scene’s most accomplished makers for a mere $35. Now that’s a swank stocking stuffer.

4^th Annual Vine Arts Center Holiday Sale
Saturday, December 17 (10 am – 5 pm) and Sunday, December 18 (noon – 5 pm)
Vine Arts Center, Minneapolis

You’ll find an eclectic variety of fine art and craft made by scads of Vine Arts Center member artists and guests, including sculpture, paintings, jewelry, photos, textiles, cards and more. Meet the many artists who’ve contributed goods to the sale, have some refreshments and check off a few names from your gift list.

Entanglement – Holiday Sale and exhibition opening
Saturday, December 17, 6 – 9pm
Fox Tax Gallery, Minneapolis

The artists whose work is featured in Fox Tax’s soon-to-open show of collage have each contributed pieces, selling for less than $100 each, which will be available for purchase during the exhibition’s opening reception this weekend. It’s a great chance to get a lovely and affordable original work, and support a good cause at the same time; all proceeds from the night’s sales go to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Artists include: Beth Bowman, Allen Brewer, John Diebel, Jesse Draxler, Josie Lewis, Rob McBroom, Jessica Slagle, Iam Sorlie, Vanesa Windshitl, and Hannah Frick.

Last-minute Handmade Gift Market
Monday, December 19, 5 – 9 pm
Modern Times Café, Minneapolis

Find an assortment of homewares, fancy edibles, paper goods, ceramics, clothing and other crafty doodads made by local artisans at this holiday art fair hosted by Modern Times café. Find a full list of vendors here.

mnartists.marketplace at the Walker Shop
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
Ongoing

You likely heard us crowing about our limited edition sets of MN artist-designed pint glasses, but get a load of the other cool things, all made by local artists, that we’ve handpicked for you: sweet handmade felt and wooden toys, and high-design tchotchkes for every occasion.

Soo VAC’s local artist-made prints
Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis
Ongoing

Soo VAC has created gorgeous prints of work by some of the gallery’s most acclaimed local artists: including Andrea Carlson, Joe Sinness, Jennifer Davis, Amy Rice, Deuce Seven – priced from $25 and up.

White Rabbit Variety Pop-up Shop
Open daily, 10 am – 8 pm through December 30 (closed Christmas)
2520 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis
Get the latest info via their website or Facebook page

For the month of December, you can pick up a wide array of locally made art and craft – from collage, photography, baubles and ornaments to paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and much more. Lots of up-cycled and repurposed items at every price point, representing work by more than 20 Twin Cities-based artists.