The Gilroy Interim Center for the Arts is hosting its popular Arts Alliance Holiday Boutique Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 7341 Monterey St. downtown.
The Artisan Shop is a permanent fixture at the Arts Center, but the Arts Alliance Holiday Boutique is something more – featuring exclusive art, crafts and gifts created by local artisans.
The booth space fees collected from the artists supports the center year-round. The Holiday Boutique weekend brings in even more support for the center as the artists donate 15 percent of their total weekend profits to The Art Center.
Some of the many artists participating include Eduardo Ramos Cadena, Julie Franco, Rosemary Rideout, Roy Guist, JoAnne Perez Robinson, Nan Madruga and Kay Walters.
Local artist, JoAnne Perez Robinson, 54, was setting up Tuesday afternoon for this weekend’s event.
“There will be more hand-crafted items this year,” she said. “Hand-crafted makes it more special, and Gilroy has so many talented local artists.”
Robinson has been a key figure in the local art community for nearly two decades. She has twice won first place in the Garlic Festival Poster competition, once in 2006 and again in 2011, and she participates in many of the Gilroy’s local art shows and events.
Art Center volunteer, Beth Dewey, 64, seconds Robinson’s thoughts on this year’s much larger selection of eclectic, one-of-a-kind gifts that will be available this weekend.
“Last year the boutique included national vendors such as tupperware and jewelry companies,” Dewey said. “This year there will be greater variety of affordable and unique art and arts-and-crafts items for sale.”
Tuesday: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
