As we open our windows and hear the birds singing, we welcome the arrival of spring. Along with the warmer weather, we celebrate the many festivities that come this time of year.
In May, college students graduate and we honor maternal figures in our lives with Mother’s Day.
June means wedding season, and of course we cannot forget Father’s Day.
Finding the perfect gift for all of these occasions can be difficult. Luckily we live in an artistically rich area that provides so many opportunities to shop locally either from small businesses or the yearly pop-up artist markets.
The Spring Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop is the perfect place to start. Opening May 2 and running through June 14, artists and makers from four counties are represented in this boutique-style shop.
All are welcome to shop from more than 60 Hudson Valley artists and can find locally made glass, jewelry, greeting cards, textiles, ceramics, wood products, prints, paintings and home decorating items at Arts Mid-Hudson located at 696 Dutchess Turnpike in Poughkeepsie.
For recent college graduates, many of the artists have homewares to help that graduate move from a dorm to the perfect apartment to start their next adventure.
Amy Rosen has adorable ceramic sculptures that are homes for little succulents. Megan Miller’s book beanbags are perfect for holding a small book, e-reader, or tablet. Dave King has commemorative tote bags and coasters depicting Hudson Valley scenes. Victoria Khasanshina has whimsical decorative soaps. And many of the visual artists have original artwork at every price point to start a home collection.
Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Janet Baskerville, Susan Bores, Celia Calvo, Jamila Dawkins, Marie Elliott, Shaneika Hamilton, and Barbara Willmer are talented jewelers all specializing in different mediums.
Shoppers will be able to choose from handcrafted metals, beaded, or glass jewelry. For new mothers, Marilyn Dvozenja creates decorative pillows, baby blankets and car seat blankets while Margaret Lent uses the technique of handweaving to create vibrant color combinations with her scarves and vests.
If you are like my husband and have a deep love for unique and different drinking vessels, there are nine potters working with porcelain, stoneware, and other clay works to hold your favorite beverage. Oscar Burkowske is back for this shop with his lathe-turned wooden bowls and Matt Woods joins the shop for the first time with charcuterie, sushi and cutting boards.
With so many diverse offerings you will be able to get all your spring celebrations covered. Bring your list and be prepared to go home with a little something for yourself too.
More:This festival will celebrate playwrights in venues across the mid-Hudson Valley
Full List of Participating Artists: Maryam Ali, Carlise Azmitia, Janet Baskerville, Deborah Bein, Rita Bolla, Susan Bores, Peter Brown, Oscar Burkowske, Celia Calvo, Patricia Collins Broun, Hoodie Crescent, Rosalia Damanti-Henry, Jamila Dawkins, Carrie Decker, Carolyn Dickey, Sue DiGilio, Marilyn Dvozenja, Marie Elliott, Morton Ender, Joan Ensminger, Peggy Farrington, Gabriella Fryer, Karen E. Gersh, Ilene Goldman, Shaneika Hamilton, Cara Hochhalter, Nicole Hughes, Nikki Hung, Tony Hung, Lynne James, Vanessa Joy, Victoria Khasanshina, David King, Paul Kmiotek, Linda Lavin, Margaret Lent, Maureen Lohan-Bremer, Lynn Lombardi, Alexis Lynch, Diane-Ellen McCarron, Megan Miller, Peggy Milone, Jessica Murphy, Marie Perry-Edwards, Marilyn Price, Sonia Reynoso, Amy Rosen, Emily Schmeichel, Tammy Scotti, Kim Steinard, Linda Storminger, Kayla Thompson, Susan Togut, Shirley Tuttle, Daniela Velez, Rachel von Wettberg, Barbara Willmer, Kyle Woehrle, Matt Woods, Karen Wyks-Lindsay
If you go
What: The Spring Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, May 2 to June 14; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4, 11, 18, 20
Location: 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Ste F, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
More information: info@artsmidhudson.org or artsmidhudson.org/dutchess-handmade
