Photo: Poster of the 11th annual Small Works Holiday Show and Sale.

The Belmont Gallery of Art’s 11th annual Small Works Holiday Show and Sale will open its doors with a Festive Holiday Reception on Friday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring spirits from Belmont’s Craft Beer Cellar and live music performed by John Fitzsimmons of Concord’s Colonial Inn. Events are free and open to the public.

The show and sale, which runs from Dec. 7 to Dec. 16, will feature special guest exhibitors Indigo Fire Pottery Studio on the weekend of Dec. 7 to Dec. 9. The sale offers original art by 30 local artists in a variety of media including affordably priced original paintings, ceramics, prints, photographs, collage, textiles, and wearable art – as well as jewelry and cards — with gift purchasing in mind.

The gallery will be open special extended shopping hours on Thursday and Friday nights through Dec. 15 and open on Saturday and Sundays through Dec. 16:

• Mon./Thurs./Fri. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
• Sun. Noon to 5 p.m.

And just a reminder: Shoppers will need to bring cash or checks, since the gallery is unable to accept credit cards.

At this special time of year, many of us focus on finding the perfect gift for family, friends and loved ones. It can often be a challenge to discover something unique and not mass-produced. In response, a number of shoppers seek out holiday fairs, small shops and other places where gifts may be more unusual than those typically found in the malls and large box stores.

For residents of Belmont and neighboring towns, the search for special handmade gifts, including original pieces of art and other treasures, can be found right off Leonard Street in the Homer Building at the Gallery’s Small Works Holiday Show and Sale, offering original art by 30 local artists in a variety of media including affordably priced original paintings, ceramics, prints, photographs, collage, textiles, and wearable art – as well as jewelry and cards — all made by area artists with gift purchasing in mind.

Small Works Special Guests Exhibitor – Indigo Fire Pottery Studio

This year’s Special guest artists from Belmont’s Indigo Fire Pottery Studio. Located at 60 Concord Ave. is a full service pottery studio offering classes for beginners to professionals in a friendly, welcoming environment. Indigo Fire owner and artist Ned Levering was interested in partnering with the BGA on the exhibit to not only showcase work made by its fourteen featured artists, but to also make the community more aware of the clay art being made in Belmont.

Indigo Fire’s artists will be selling a wide range of stylistically, unique pottery at its special Holiday exhibit and sale at the Belmont Gallery of Art. “Buyers of all tastes and preference will be able to find a piece of pottery that’s just right for them,” says Levering.

The Belmont Gallery of Art is located in the Homer Municipal Building, third floor, which is part of the Town Hall Complex, just off Leonard Street at 19 Moore St., Belmont Center — behind Belmont Savings Bank — and across from the Commuter Rail stop. Wheelchair accessible.

For more info on Small Works and other shows, please visit the BGA’s website at www.belmontgallery.org or email director Rebecca Richards at: admin@belmontgallery.org