by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
If you’re looking for a holiday gift that you can be sure won’t be duplicated by any other giver, shopping at an art gallery is a wise choice. By its nature, a piece of fine art is one of a kind, something that would be difficult to duplicate, even if the artist were so inclined.
The Next Gallery in the Elks Building on Laura Street and Bee Gallery at the Landing are part of the “Off the Grid” program that unites property owners with available space and artists who need a place to work and exhibit their creations. Both galleries have added inventory and ideas just for the holidays.
In the time since painter Sharla Valeski opened The Next Gallery in August 2009, she has carried a selection of gifts and accessories in addition to original paintings, photographs and sculpture.
“Gifts have always been part of the gallery. Not everyone can buy a painting every time they come in. I always knew there is a need Downtown for high-end gifts you won’t find anywhere else in Jacksonville,” she said.
Valeski has stocked quite a bit of holiday gift inventory, some created by local artists and some she purchased at the Atlanta Merchandise Mart.
In addition to original paintings and other art by more than a dozen local, national and international artists, The Next Gallery has a selection of candles, skin-care products, notepads, umbrellas and accessories.
The gallery also is showing and selling a collection of hats knitted by ceramic artist Mo Sakakini, who took up the craft because she isn’t currently firing pottery.
“Mo told me she’s losing her mind because she doesn’t have a studio right now, so she’s knitting. That’s how artists deal with hardship. We have our ways,” said Valeski.
At Bee Gallery at the Landing, Brenda Kato is painting cubist portraits for the holidays. She’ll be at the gallery Wednesday during Art Walk, painting portraits in about 10 minutes for $10.
The gallery also has a special selection by local artists for sale for $50 or less. Bren Bataclan’s exhibit, “Oil Spill Animal Victims,” has been held over through the holidays.
Kato met Bataclan while she was living in New York City in 2008 and invited the artist to Bee Gallery for the Florida debut of his work. A portion of sales of Bataclan’s original paintings and limited-edition signed prints benefits wildlife relief efforts related to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
For hours and more information about The Next Gallery, Bee Gallery and Downtown’s other “Off the Grid” locations, visit www.downtownjacksonville.org.
356-2466