Dec 8, 2008

The Artful AlternativeBy Laurie WinkTheNewsDispatch.com

Michigan City – For those whose minds go blank in big box stores, or find mall shopping to be a mind-numbing experience, there are holiday shopping alternatives.

A wide variety of one-of-a-kind gifts can be found in the more intimate atmosphere of the Gallery Shop at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. Second St. It features original art created mostly by area artists, including jewelry, hand-blown glass, ceramics, hand-cut puzzles, metalwork items, unique pieces created from wood and hand-knit scarves and hats. Gift wrapping is free. And you can buy a hand-made paper card by local artist Andrea Peterson.

“I think we have something for everyone,” said Helen Molinaro, special events coordinator and part-time Gallery Shop saleswoman. She said 35 percent of the sales support Lubeznik Center programs.

CarolAnn Brown, Long Beach, was shopping for holiday gifts there recently and said she likes the unusual offerings.

“It’s an intimate setting and a good cause,” Brown said.

Carolyn Saxton, Lubeznik Center executive director, said, “This shop gives regional artists an opportunity to showcase their work. Some of the artists are nationally-known, but we really looked at how we might help local artists. It’s part of our mission.”

The artists whose work is represented are those who either heard about the Lubeznik Center and contacted Saxton, or those she heard about or were recommended to her. The Lubeznik Center was one of the first gallery shops to feature the work of Gerald Chodale, a former Chicago urologist who moved to the beach area and works full time on his one-of-a-kind glass-blown pieces, Saxton said.

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