Holiday Art Jumble, 12/15 - 1/20

The Yellow Springs Arts Council is hosting its first Holiday Art Jumble FUNdraiser to support local artists and the YSAC Community Gallery.

The Holiday Art Jumble Sale & Exhibit opens on December 15 (1-4pm) and continues through January 20 (Wednesday to Sunday, 1-4pm).  You will find unique gifts at “can’t-resist” prices and you will be supporting the arts in Yellow Springs.  YS is home to many collectors of art, and they have been generously donating their paintings, arty bits & bobs, handmade jewelry and fine crafts.  We have received art from all over the world!  Several really fabulous items will be silent auctioned each week and we will be regularly refreshing the exhibit, so check in often to see what is new.

“‘Tis the season of giving” or “‘Tis the season of shopping”? – the modern-day holiday conundrum.  This season you can do both!  Fill your heart with cheer as you shop for one-of-a-kind gifts at the YSAC Holiday Art Jumble.  Scores of arts supporters have donated gently-used artsy items and antique collectibles.  The walls and pedestals of the YSAC Gallery are filled with out-of-the-closet art, hand-crafted whimsy, tiny collectibles and fabulous chotchkies!  And, don't forget to take a holiday picture in Santa's Sleigh with Suzy the Snake!

The festivities begin on Saturday, December 15 with First Dibs Jumble shopping from 1-4pm.  And, from 6-10pm, combine your holiday shopping with jubilant entertainment at YSAC’s Jumble Sale and Heartstrings Concert -- festive music, fundraising sale vouchers, silent auction, cash wine bar and seasonal treats!  Local favorites, Heartstrings, will perform from 7-8:30pm.  This five-woman group (Mary Beth Burkholder, Sarah Goldstein, Dottie Palsgrove, Linda Scutt & Carol Van Ausdal) plays traditional music with a signature blend of acoustic instruments including fiddle, mandolin, banjo, concertina and hammered dulcimer; their repertoire draws predominantly from Celtic and Appalachian traditions, with tastes of Scandinavian, Italian and Klezmer music.  A $5 performance donation is suggested in memory of past quintet member, Chris Hess.

All proceeds from the Jumble Sale and Heartstrings Concert will benefit the YS Arts Council in support of local artists and the YSAC Community Gallery.  Like many arts organizations, the Yellow Springs Arts Council has been stretched thin through this difficult economic climate.  While a contingency of members continue to support the organization, some patrons have had to tighten their belts.  Worse yet, grant opportunities have diminished for arts and other non-profit organizations.  Ohio Governor John Kasich’s current budget proposal includes a 19.5 percent reduction to the Ohio Arts Council general fund appropriation.  After sustaining a 47 percent decrease in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, this additional reduction will further limit support to artists, arts organizations, schools and other entities engaged in cultural programming throughout the state.

This winter, the YS Arts Council is not only working to sustain arts programs that provide opportunities for local artists, such as the YSAC Gallery Program and Experience Saturday performance series, but it is also working to expand its arts education offerings.  In February, YSAC is collaborating with Mills Lawn Elementary School to provide an artist-in-residency program around topics on bullying and social justice, culminating in a large-scale work of art to be displayed at Antioch University Midwest in March, 2013.  And earlier this winter, the YS Arts Council kicked off a program to bring local school children into the Arts Center for project-based learning though gallery exhibits and hands-on art making.

Leave it to the Yellow Springs Arts Council to launch this season’s most creative fundraiser to continue its mission during hard financial times.  Join us in supporting arts and educational efforts.  Make this season’s holiday shopping a unique and heartfelt experience by giving back through buying your gifts at the YSAC’s Holiday Art Jumble Sale!

Experience Holidays with the Yellow Springs Arts Council!  YS Experience events are made possible with the generous support of our many community partners including the YS Chamber of Commerce, the YS Community Foundation, Emporium Wines & Underdog Café and Village BP.  

You can find program details, become a member or make a donation at www.ysartscouncil.org, and join us on Facebook to stay in touch with the local arts scene.  We will continue to accept donations for the Holiday Art Jumble fundraiser through January 18 during open gallery hours (Wednesday to Sunday, 1-4pm).