Get creative for the holidays this year

A selection of exhibits, theater and creative ventures that's more than checking off a list

(India Garrish/News Tribune) Handmade cards by Faye Zumwalt sit Nov. 16 alongside other crafts in Capital Arts as part of the Give the Gift of Art exhibit.
(India Garrish/News Tribune) Handmade cards by Faye Zumwalt sit Nov. 16 alongside other crafts in Capital Arts as part of the Give the Gift of Art exhibit.

Get creative for the holidays this year

A selection of exhibits, theater and creative ventures that's more than checking off a list

Wanting to enjoy the spirit of the season but also avoid the crowds of shoppers? Consider instead expanding your experiences with the arts around your neighborhood. These holiday-themed opportunities give you a glimpse into some of the arts and entertainment around Jefferson City without breaking the bank or stretching your sanity.

Peruse an art exhibit

Visiting an art exhibition could help you expand your palate of local pieces, while perhaps finding some of those meaningful holiday gifts along the way.

Capital Arts Gallery is hosting a "Gift the Gift of Art" exhibit today through Dec. 6. Items will be on display 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at 1203 Missouri Blvd. Receptions will be 5-7 p.m. today and 1-4 p.m. Dec. 12. Photos of items will be posted on the gallery's Facebook page and can be reserved by calling 573-635-8355.

For Lori Jobe, executive director of Capital Arts, she sees a different kind of excitement among artists this time of year, knowing their works could be given as gifts. There's also a chance patrons will know the artist personally, creating an even more personal connection - and you won't be finding these gifts anywhere else, Jobe said.

"It's the slowdown and appreciation of small things," she said. "It's all those things I think about with the holiday season, when it's more about relationships and giving from the heart than checking off a list,"

Also this weekend, experience some winter magic for a good cause at Saturday's Christmas Wonderland Craft & Vendor Show hosted by Sellnow Events, LLC. The show will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 6124 Falcon Lane, Wardsville. Donations will benefit Coyote Hill, a ministry dedicated to providing safe and loving homes for abused and neglected children which welcomed their foster care programs to Jefferson City in December 2020.

Enjoy the theatrical arts

For those with a love of holiday classics and local performances, checking out a theater could be a great form of escape while giving back.

The Little Theatre presents "The Game's Afoot: Holmes for the Holidays" today through Saturday. Attendants can see the performance at 7:30 p.m. at the Miller Performing Arts Center, 501 Madison St. Visit tltjc.org for upcoming shows.

On Friday, Capital City Productions will host its second Founder's Cabaret, "House of Mouse," with silent auction items and a prime rib dinner. Proceeds go to finishing actors' dressing rooms at the theater. Catch the one-night-only fundraiser at 6 p.m. at 719 Wicker Lane, or visit ccpjc.org for the season schedule.

More details on both of this weekend's show were published in last week's GoMidMo section, and can be found on our website, www.newstribune.com/gomidmo/.

Get crafty

Instructional courses offer you the chance to sit back, relax and create some holiday goodies with a personal touch. Pick up a paintbrush - and a wine glass - today at Canvas and Cocktails hosted by Art 101 on Boonville. The three-hour course from 6-9 p.m. costs $30 and covers step-by-step acrylic painting techniques. Then on Friday, head back to Art 101 from 6-8 p.m. for a Fused Glass Class. Cost is $30 and welcomes beginners to learn the art of mixing shape and color through glass fusing. Call 573-694-0838 or email [email protected] for more information on either course.

More seasonal crafting activities are in store this weekend: Art 101 in Boonville is hosting its Art 101 Saturday Camp 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday. The course, which costs $35 for those age 6 and older, focuses on making shaggy trees, a personalized hat and canvas mouse painting.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, join an open sewing session at the "Quilt Till You Wilt" event 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at Rooster Creek Company in New Bloomfield. The fabric store opens up its sewing room for $10 every third weekend of the month. Call 573-896-8025 or email [email protected] for more information.

Invest in the arts

Even if some entertainment for this time of the year has been canceled due to COVID-19, there are some ways you can support these organizations. Donations are accepted to Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra at jcsymphony.org/donate and support for Jefferson City Cantorum can be found at jeffersoncitycantorum.com/support.