Jul 9, 2008

Gift shops aren’t just for gifts anymoreBy Meredith McMahonCrosscut.com

I head to a museum for my art and culture fix, taking in the offerings — from Impressionists to Romans — and maybe even suffer a little indigestion after the unexpected special exhibit on body art. I leave a museum feeling sated, educated, and maybe even a little smug. But let’s face it; Everyone has room for a little dessert. Enter the pull of the gift shop on the way out.

It’s hard to beat the warm, fuzzy feeling of buying a piece of original art, with the added bonus that because your purchase directly benefits a great arts organization, you don’t have to feel buyer’s remorse. There is also the draw of applied art, art that’s whole purpose is to be both beautiful and useful. The two combined make for guilt-free shopping.

If, like myself, you have a love of applied art and a stylista nature, you probably look to many of the local fairs and markets for interesting artisan items to add to your wardrobe. But what about the inventory of apparel and accessories in Northwest museum gift shops? Museums have fabulous paper products, books, and art objects for sale. But what about wearable art? I set out to see what Seattle museums have to offer.

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