For a special gift — one that’s literally one-of-a-kind — you can’t really beat art, whether it’s a new class or workshop, or an original piece to hang on the wall. To show the art-lover in your life that you care, here are some holiday gift ideas from The Art League:

Art supplies

The Art League Store, on the second floor of the Torpedo Factory, sells everything the art student or working artist needs: watercolor paper, stretched canvas, a new set of pastels, or a stylish Join the Flock tote bag to carry their supplies to class in. For young artists who can’t wait for Art Camp to start up again, some markers, colored pencils, and newsprint can keep their creative side engaged.

Art classes

Drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, metalwork, stained glass, weaving, felting, knitting, child and teen classes, and Summer Art Camp … we keep pretty busy at The Art League School. You can encourage creative growth with the gift of a workshop, class, or camp — or, a gift card and a catalog for your artist to pick out a class to take. (If you need some ideas, you can look inside our classrooms in this YouTube playlist.)

Price: Prices for classes vary, ranging from $45 for the one-day Jumpstart in Ceramics workshop to an average of around $200–300 for a nine-week course. Summer Art Camps for ages five and up start at $155. You can search the catalog here.

Gallery membership

For the artist in your life looking to take the next step and start exhibiting, you can give them a supportive push in the right direction with an Art League membership. Membership at The Art League entitles an artist to enter juried group exhibits every month, submit to special exhibits like Art in City Hall, apply for a solo exhibit come Fall, access our reference library, and attend seminars and lectures.

You can pay a year’s dues (or renew an existing member), and take home a copy of Tidings and an exhibit schedule to wrap up so they’ll be ready to come to receiving January 6 or 7.

Price: A one-year membership is $95 for new members or $80 for renewals. We also offer one-month trial memberships for $30.

Handmade ornaments

The ornaments hanging on The Art League Gallery’s tree are each handmade by an Art League artist — painters, sculptors, and glass artists alike. We’ll be hanging new ones throughout the month, so come check out our collection!

Price: From $7 to $60

Bin Gallery artwork

Because everything in our gallery is original artwork, it’s guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind gift. The artwork in the Bin Gallery includes unframed pieces by our artists, which are a perfect choice if you’re looking for an affordable option. Of course, we have new framed and 3-D artwork in the Gallery every month, too.

Price: $45 and up

Art League Apparel

Our “Join the Flock” merchandise has been a hit ever since we introduced it during our “30-Something” campaign last summer. These aprons, t-shirts (crew neck and scoop neck), buttons, and tote bags feature drawings of 12 famous artists — as birds — by Art League instructor Stephen Procopio. Get one for the Art Leaguer in your life and let them show off their artist pride!

Price: Shirts, $15–20; aprons, $20; bags, $10; and buttons, $1

Gift cards

OK, so it’s not always easy knowing exactly what class, what tube of paint, or what piece of artwork to get. Let your loved one choose for themselves with an Art League gift card, which they can use for any of the following:

• Any Art League class (wrap it up with a school catalog and an Art League apron!)
• Any artwork in the Gallery
• Supplies at The Art League Store
• Events like Patrons’ Show and Art on the Rocks
• Membership dues
• Exhibit entry fees

Don’t forget that buying artwork, taking classes, and shopping at The Art League goes to support our mission and means we can continue to offer affordable art classes, exhibition space for emerging artists, and outreach programs in our community.

Any ideas we missed? Anything here on your wish list? Try sharing this post on Facebook with a subtle “hint, hint.”