Eastside Artists Show & Sale Opens Today

The Eastside Artists will present their annual show and sale December 7-9 at the Masonic Building, 312 E College Street in downtown Iowa City. Hours are 10am-8pm Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. The show features original, affordable gifts by professional local artists. Admission is free.

In an age of online shopping, finding unique and meaningful gifts during the holiday season-and supporting our local economy-can be challenging. One of Iowa City's longest held and most anticipated holiday shows, 2018 marks the 26th for the organization. This event will feature the best in local, handcrafted art and gifts.

What makes the show unique-besides the wide variety of work-is the fact that it is run by the artists themselves. Throughout the year, members serve on committees to ensure that the sale comes off smoothly.

26 years ago, a few artists got together to sell their work in a small space on the east side of Iowa City. In the years since, it has become a popular regional tradition. The group has grown larger and moved to a more spacious venue, but the show has the same festive and neighborly atmosphere.

Today, the Eastside Artists mailing list includes hundreds of names that eagerly await the arrival of the announcement featuring an original cardinal themed art piece created by one of the members each year. The show's relaxed and friendly manner offers a plethora of media to chose from. This year's artists are Michael Burt and Nancy Westvig (pottery); Ansel Cummings (organic mandala art and apparel); Lucy David (scarves, cards, books and paintings); Jan Friedman (weaving); Anne Goetz (fiber arts and felted objects); Laurie Haag (photography and digital art); Claudia McGehee (cards, prints, book arts); Nancy Romalov (woodwork); Jo Myers-Walker (watercolors); Susan Shinnick (printed and dried fiber arts); Tracy Randall Titus (wrap bracelets, Alcohol ink paintings and Patti Zwick (cards, quilts, bags). Guest artists this year include Chris Carman (assemblage & collage); Amy Dobrian (prints and origami ornaments); Wende Fugate (all-natural soaps and skincare products); Ulpi Gonzalez (paintings, photography); Erica Gooding (jewelry); Ritu Jain (ecoprinted, felted and block-printed textiles); Nancy Mayfield (paper arts); and Marilyn Moore (wire baskets and basketry-related jewelry). During limited hours, Cheryl Jacobsen will enhance purchases with her beautiful calligraphy. Coffee will be provided by Café del Sol.
For further information, please visit the group's Facebook page at Iowa City EastsideArtists: https://www.facebook.com/Iowa-City-Eastside-Artists-292661920752749/.