6 Artsy alternatives to Black Friday shopping

 

Thanksgiving is over. Everyone is happily stuffed with Turkey Day staples such as turkey and cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, loads of apple cider and red vino. Most of us have a long weekend and get Black Friday off from work. Before lacing up your shopping shoes and dashing to the nearest mall for a crazy day of shopping, I encourage you come out and support Baltimore's creative artist community. Please check out the following artsy shopping events taking place tomorrow and Saturday:

Friday Evening • November 28 • 5:30–8:00PM:  Bazaart PREVIEW PARTY & SALE

An opportunity to get the first shot at the original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople prior to the Saturday Bazaart extravaganza. Spend a relaxing evening strolling among Bazaart artisans and their wares while nibbling light fare, and perhaps enjoying a beverage. Music TBA. Location: American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center, 3rd Floor. Admission to Preview Party & Sale: $20 at the door.

Saturday • November 29 • 10AM-5PM:  BAZAART: Artful Holiday Shopping

A Holiday Marketplace of original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople. Painting, sculpture, paper-crafts, metalwork, jewelry, textiles, mixed media, and other work that simply defies categorization. American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center 3rd Floor. FREE.

Friday  • November 28 • Avenue in Hampden                                                                                        

Before heading up to AVAM on Friday night, spend friday morning shopping on the Avenue in Hampden! Shops will be open and offering free locally produced breakfast treats. You can pick up many items made by CCCM members in Hampden, including: Red Prairie Press Apparel & 2009 Calendars, Bake Sale Designs clutches and Pistol Stitched handbags at Double Dutch Boutique, HVM Designs knit & crocheted gifts at Lovelyarns, Spaghetti Kiss apparel, Pink Kiss Pottery, Sweet Pepita children’s clothing and more at Red Tree. Have fun, and look both ways before you cross the street. Hampden will be the happenin' place this weekend!

Saturday • November 29 • 11AM-6PM: Artisan Craft Bazaar

This modern craft bazaar features unique products like funky home decorating items, art, natural bath and body goodies, fashions, vintage finds, jewelry, accessories and more. Skip the mall...rethink corporate culture and consumerism. Support the spirit of community, creativity and entrepreneurship. Shop indie!

Friday • November 28 • Moonlight Merriment: the "Un-Black Friday" Celebration                              

Belvedere Square is creating a different scene - a calmer, merrier shopping holiday with gourmet food and wine, relaxing entertainment and great, unique gift ideas! With more than 20 distinctive boutique retailers, restaurants, a wine bar and European-style market, there are plenty of gift options available and lots of fun to be had. In addition, each store will host special holiday promotions and in-store discounts. Plus, shoppers can enjoy activities such as live performances by local musicians, a visit with Santa himself, and discover heart-warming holiday surprises throughout the Square!

Friday & Saturday • November 28 - 29 • The Back Room Sale

Buy your classy date something groovy and eco-friendly during La Terra’s backroom sale. La Terra prides itself on offering gifts made from recycled materials. La Terra, 4001 Falls Road, Baltimore; Free; 410-889-7562, www.laterragiftgallery.com.

In my opinion, capitalism, linked with our consumer driven society, has caused much creative damage in the world today. No matter what people say, excessive buying in chain retail stores is NOT the way to help the financial crisis go away. American chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, accessorizing and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade, fair trade, eco-friendly, one-of-a-kind products from artists and artisans allows us to reconnect to our creative spirit and strikes a small blow to mass production.

Enjoy the start of holiday shopping and please stay tuned for news about more art-related shopping events this holiday season!

For other Holiday Guide articles by this Examiner:

Thanksgiving themes in contemporary art