Everyone wants to give thoughtful, unique gifts for the holidays, but who has the time to do the searching and running? The OCAC is making it easy for you this year. Whether your friends and family prefer gifts, experiences, or learning opportunities, you don’t need to travel far to find something for everyone. And best of all, by purchasing goods created by local artists, you are keeping your dollars local, supporting our nonprofit community, and helping to support our local creators. Did we mention local?
For the jewelry lover…
- In Chapel Hill, check out Frank Gallery and Creative Metalsmiths for fine jewelry made by local artists.
- In Carrboro, check out The ArtsCenter‘s 2017 Elf Market, featuring over 40 vendors, on December 2nd. Also go by Cameron’s, North Carolina Crafts Gallery and Womancraft Gifts.
- In Hillsborough, check out Hillsborough Arts Council, Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, Margaret Lane Gallery, Melissa Designer Jewelry, K’s Closet, and Eno Gallery for handcrafted jewelry at a variety of price points. And don’t forget Carlisle and Linny Vintage Jewelry for those that love that retro sparkle!
For the theatre goer…
- The ArtsCenter in Carrboro currently hosts several community theatre groups including One Song Productions and No Shame Theatre. They also play host to several improv groups, including Transactors Improv, FatMouth Improv and Improv Percolator. Get a gift certificate and let your theatre fan pick their pleasure!
- UNC’s Playmakers Repertory Company is only halfway through their 2017-18 season, with a Dot and A Christmas Carol running before the end of 2017. Shows still to come include The Christians, Moelière’s Tartuffe this winter, and Leaving Eden and Where Did We Sit on the Bus? in the spring.
- UNC’s Current ArtSpace+Studio opens this February, featuring a collection of performances that blur the lines between entertainment and engagement. Every show is interactive, featuring performance arts that combine music, dance, theatre, and improvisation. Check out the schedule on their website.
For the live music fan…
- The ArtsCenter in Carrboro offers eclectic music at an affordable price point. Still to come in this year’s season, Dar Williams, Dirty Dozen Brass Band New Year’s Eve Party, Jason Marsalis, Vieux Farka Tourè, Ken Waldman & the Wild Men, BeauSoleil and Jayme Stone’s Folklife.
- Carolina Performing Arts hosts acts from all over the world at UNC’s beautiful Memorial Hall. Remaining highlights of this season include Wynton Marsalis, Steep Canyon Rangers, Audra McDonald, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Abigail Washburn and Wu Fei, and the Del McCoury Band.
For the dance lover…
- The ArtsCenter in Carrboro will present international dance trio Galumpha on Wednesday, April 11.
- UNC’s Carolina Performing Arts will feature Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in January, as well as Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan and Nederlands Dans Theater in March.
For the art collector…
Orange County is home to thousands of painters, photographers, potters, glassworks, and woodworkers. Check out the venues below to purchase one-of-a-kind works of 2D and 3D art.
- In Chapel Hill, check out Frank Gallery, Framer’s Market & Gallery, The Frame & Print Shop, Light Art & Design, and Studio Design Gallery.
- In Carrboro, check out The ArtsCenter‘s 2017 Elf Market, featuring over 40 vendors, on December 2nd. Also go by Cameron’s, North Carolina Crafts Gallery and Womancraft Gifts.
- In Hillsborough, check out Hillsborough Arts Council, Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, Margaret Lane Gallery, K’s Closet, Gallery 71, Thomas Stevens Gallery, and Eno Gallery.
- Be sure to check out the Orange County Artists Guild. Many of our best local artists sell their work out of their own studios or online.
For the reader…
Orange County is home to one of the richest literary scenes in the country. Check out new books from our local authors and consider purchasing them from local bookstores like Purple Crow Books in Hillsborough and Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
- Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Rocket Fantastic (Poetry)
- John Claude Bemis, Out of Abaton: Book Two- Lord of Monsters (Children’s Literature)
- Sarah Dessen, Once and For All (Young Adult Fiction)
- Thomas Mira y Lopez, The Book of Resting Places: A Personal History of Where We Lay the Dead (Essays)
- Stephanie Elizondo Griest, All the Agents and Saints: Dispatches from the U.S. Borderlands (Essays)
- Daniel Wallace, Extraordinary Adventures (Novel)
- Jeremy Whitley, children’s comic books
For the perpetual learner…
Why not give the gift of classes this year to brush up on artistic skills or learn entirely new ones? Classes are offered at the following locations, as well as through many local artist’s private studios.
- Ackland Art Museum Chapel Hill
- The ArtsCenter Carrboro
- FRANK Gallery Chapel Hill
- K’s Closet Hillsborough
- Hillsborough Arts Council Hillsborough
- OQZO Metalsmith Jewelry Making Studio Hillsborough
For the kids…
- Check out The ArtsCenter for after-school classes as well as family-friendly performances, Kidzu Children’s Museum for creative play sessions, and the Ackland Museum Store for some of the coolest art-related kids’ gifts available!