It’s that time of the year again. Flurries are in the air, finals are looming and the Kent State University School of Art Annual Holiday Sale event is on its way.
The sale will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 7-8 in the Center for the Visual Arts Gallery located at 325 Terrace Drive, Kent, Ohio.
“There will be a variety of items on sale by various student organizations from the School of Art, so there will be a little bit of something available for everyone's needs or wants at every price,” said Andrew Kuebeck, associate professor and area head of jewelry, metals and enameling.
The School of Art hosts the event with the school’s student organizations making and selling their own works of art. Tables and displays will be set up in the gallery with handmade wares including prints, metals, textiles, ceramic mugs, glassware and jewelry.
The event is open to all students, faculty, staff and community members.
This event is a limited opportunity for customers to purchase meaningful gifts for the holiday season.
“Because all work is handmade, each item is unique,” Kuebeck said.
Kuebeck, who holds a master of fine arts degree in jewelry design and metalsmithing, encourages everyone to stop by each day of the sale because as work is sold, new inventory is placed on each table. Kuebeck also recommends bringing your own reusable bag because you may end up purchasing a large number of items.
Annie Cyrus, a sixth-year senior studio arts major with a concentration in jewlery, metals and enameling, is the president of the Jewelry, Metals and Enameling Co-op club. The club is one of the many student organizations participating in the holiday sale this year.
“This event has become a staple of the School of Art as an annual opportunity for the student organizations,” Cyrus said, adding that the event is a great opportunity for students in the club to gain experience selling their own artwork because the school provides them with support during every step, like not charging students any fees or commissions.
Kyra Pahls, a senior print media and photography major and vice president of Kent State United Print Alliance, will be working at the alliance’s booth selling handmade prints and cards at the sale. Pahls highly encourages everyone to shop locally for the holidays and said this sale is a great way to do just that.
“It's a chance to meet your local up-and-coming artists and support them financially through the holiday season,” Pahls said.
Pahls said she enjoys the process of the event because it allows students to reach a broader audience and engage with the Kent community. Similarly, Cyrus said it also allows students to operate and sell without the financial burden of paying for a spot or booth off campus, and it creates a more supportive and collaborative environment.
“Many students use this opportunity to see how their work is received in a market/sale setting, practice applying entrepreneurial skills, and earn money from their work for one of the first times,” said Echo Davis, president and treasurer of the Kent State Ceramics Club and a third-year ceramics major. “The sale can be extremely encouraging for individuals and clubs alike.”
Davis will be leading the ceramics department sale table while sharing information about the club and the ceramics department.
“This is a great event to show the talents of the students in the School of Art,” Kuebeck said. “We have incredible student artists who create wonderful works that I know everyone can enjoy and bring home for a loved one or themselves. It is always very impactful for students to see that there is a market for their works, and it truly reinforces their desire to be working artists.”
Along with being able to buy artwork from student artists, students who go to the sale are also able to join or support some of the student organizations at the event. The School of Art organizations will have tables and forms with more information during the event.
For everyone’s convenience, both cash and credit cards will be accepted at the sale.