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In the Lorenzen Gallery Nov. 22 – Dec. 1, 2024: Rae Galloway

In the East Oregonian Gallery:

The Art of the Gift exhibit at the Pendleton Center for the Arts has become one of the traditions in the community that signals that the holiday season is in full gear. The event features more than a dozen new artists and fine craftspeople, in addition to the local and regional artists who the Center represents every day, with wearable and functional art filling the entire East Oregonian Gallery and creating a truly distinctive shopping experience.

This year’s event kicks off on Friday, November 22 with the Annual Meeting of the Arts Council of Pendleton at 4:30 p.m. The annual meeting gives members a chance to look back on the organization’s achievements and look forward to new activities and programs for the year ahead. Members will be treated to early-bird shopping, getting first glimpse of the exhibit and the new work.

The Art of the Gift opens to the public at 5:30 p.m., and will feature music, food, and free gift wrapping.

This year’s event features several new artists, including work from the Past Lives Prison Outreach Guild, an organization that encourages incarcerated adults in their creative work and helps to sell their fine craft items in venues around the state. Both men and women work though the program to gain skills in all sorts of art forms, including leather work and hand-drawn notecards.

The Art of the Gift runs through December 31 and the Pendleton Center for the Arts is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and by appointment for private shopping after-hours by calling 541-278-9201.

“We know that not everyone can get away from work during our regular gallery hours,” said Arts Center director Roberta Lavadour. “If someone has a group of friends they’d like to gather with, or if a community member needs a quiet shopping environment, we’re happy to accommodate them after-hours.”

In addition to shopping, visitors will have a variety of “make and take” activities they can engage in while at the Center. Free materials and self-guided instructions for Christmas ornaments, holiday cards, and more will be available for all ages on a drop-in basis during business hours.