A gift of art for the holidays

By FRITZ MAYER

RIVER VALLEY — The iconic playwright Oscar Wilde once said, “It is through art and through art only that we can realize our perfection; through art and art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence.”

Wilde, of course, had a tendency to be somewhat melodramatic. Still, if you know anyone who needs a bit of shielding from the sordid perils of actual existence this season, you might want to consider a gift of art.

If so, you’re in luck: there are many artists and artisans in our area, abundantly represented in holiday shows held by local galleries, featuring works suitable for gift giving. Here are a few for your consideration.

Delaware Valley Arts Alliance

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance’s (DVAA) annual holiday exhibit, Art in Sixes, features a multitude of compact works of art in a wide variety of media, making this particularly fruitful ground for holiday shopping. Right next door at the DVAA’s gift store, Signature Gifts, is the “Valley Artists Holiday Show and Sale.” Over 60 artists and artisans are highlighted, such as Kim Lust, whose Ceramic Hanging Bird is pictured above. There are even gifts for children like wood toys, games and art supplies. The Delaware Arts Center is located at 37 Main Street, artsalliancesitelorg, 845/252-7576. The exhibit and the sale both are open through Wednesday, December 22, with hours of Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hanson Gallery

HONESDALE, PA — The Hanson Gallery & Decorium is touting a “Winter Wonderland” collection of fine art and sculpture for the season. The gallery features a Christmas “Art” Tree filled with ornaments that were painted or sculpted by all the artists in the Winter Wonderland Collection. There are also many other gifts and fine art pieces available. The gallery has longer store hours for the season: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon to 4 p.m. The Hanson Gallery is located at 1037 Main Street, thehansongallery.com, 570/253-2525.

Catskill Art Society

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The annual Catskill Arts Society (CAS) Members Show & Holiday Fair, featuring works by its members, is already in full swing, and runs through December 22. CAS will also host a weekend Holiday Bazaar on December 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and December 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event features local art and craft vendors. According to CAS, all holiday gifts for sale are handmade and include fine jewelry, hats, soaps, hand turned hardwood bowls, knitted scarves and shawls, vintage linen sachets, fine art and more. The CAS Arts Center is located at 48 Main Street, wcatskillartsociety.org, 845-436-4227.

Brook House Gallery

BARRYVILLE, NY — The newly opened Brook House Gallery in Barryville, NY features works from local artists in the Upper Delaware Valley, and available gifts include paintings, pottery, fiber art and large outdoor sculptures in stone, metal and wood. The gallery will host a Holiday at Home Show with a reception on December 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with guest artist, painter James Gaan. Hours are Thursday and Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Brook House Gallery is located 5 Austin Road near the junction of Rtes. 97 and 55 at the Barryville Towne Square, brookhousegallery.com, 845/456-0066.

Willow River Gallery

HONESDALE, PA — The Willow River Gallery has a holiday show that the gallery describes as “elegant, beautiful and affordable.” The gallery is featuring four fiber artists who produce everything from up-cycled garbage bags turned into rugs to hand-dyed and hand crinkled silk scarves. There is also jewelry from several artists and pieces from various potters and sculptors. Paintings and visual arts include photographs, landscapes and pencil on wash drawings. Winter hours are Wednesday thru Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment. The Willow River Gallery is located at 118 Willow Ave, willowrivergallery.com, 570/253-3013.

The River Gallery - The Art of Living

NARROWSBURG, NY — The River Gallery-The Art of Living in Narrowsburg, has many works of art that double as dining ware, such as this four-piece cheese set, which is comprised of a reclaimed teak tray and three bamboo handled cheese servers. The gallery offers art gifts in many categories such as glassware, antiques, dining and kitchen. The gallery is open year round; the hours are Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The River Gallery is located at 8 Main St., rivergalleryny.com, 845/252-3238.