If you’re lacking creative gift ideas this season, take a trip to Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District.
JRB Art at the Elms celebrates its 14th year as a holiday destination for fine art, fashion, home décor and unique gifts with Christmas at the Elms. The annual event features a diverse selection of artwork for purchase by local and national artists.
From larger-than-life paintings to tiny, whimsical trinkets, Christmas at the Elms revels in art’s many giftable forms for budgets small and large.
“This event brings in so many people from the community,” JRB Gallery operations director Trina Morrison told Oklahoma Gazette. “We always feature fine art across different mediums, but for Christmas, we bring in items you sometimes wouldn’t find in a traditional art gallery.”
Novelty goods like decorative and functional slab glass dishes and serving sets, ceramic and wood sculptures by John Wolfe and one-of-a-kind, quirky ornaments by Diana Smith give the gallery an extra twinkle amidst its bountiful fine art collection.
Speaking of the latter, fine art isn’t only for hefty-wallet-wielding patrons. Christmas at the Elms is also an opportune time for art collectors to add to their assortments with small-scale paintings.
“We’re excited to present more affordable options through smaller paintings and photography as well as works by our featured artists Denise Duong and Karem,” said Morrison. “This is the best time at JRB to find reasonably priced art to gift or to keep for yourself.”
Janice Mathews-Gordon’s six-piece acrylic dove series and Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish’s botanical photography make up many of the smaller artworks for sale.
Starting at $20, petite foil sculptures by Douglas Shaw Elder (known for his joy-spreading Love Bomb foil series) and Richard McKown also contribute to JRB’s inexpensive yet entirely inimitable art for purchase.
“We normally do not carry these kind of items here,” said Morrison. “These smaller foil pieces by Douglas and Richard have traveled to places like Tinkerfest at the Science Museum [Oklahoma], and they’re such fun, approachable ways to appreciate art.”
Old and new
JRB mainstays — crowd favorites like Houston Llew’s Spiritiles, a series of small frames featuring unique visual narratives made from ground glass and copper, and Beatriz Mayorca’s functional furniture made from concrete, metal and mosaic tile — return for another season as well.
JRB regulars will appreciate the addition of new artists like Marilyn Artus and her Woman series, which explores and repurposes female representations with hand-beaded black and white figures that are at once decorative and thought-provoking.
Nature enthusiasts will enjoy Alan Atkinson’s leaf series, featuring hyper-realistic paintings of leaves collected at major local sites around OKC.
“All of his works are under $300 and are wonderful representations of Oklahoma nature,” Morrison said.
For those who enjoy wearing art, Stillwater-based Stella Thomas Designs offers a bold line of statement jewelry starting at $40, while Elyse Bogart’s wearable metal works balance toughness and grace in the form of necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Morrison said Christmas at the Elms feels like a monthlong party every year.
“Each year, we deck the gallery out with decorations, celebrate with tons of hors d’oeuvres and invite local musicians to play festive pieces,” she said. Even last-minute shoppers who missed the opening reception need not worry — the gallery is open on Christmas Eve.
Extending the holiday cheer beyond December, JRB continues with its annual New Year’s Day Brunch, marking the yearly conclusion of Christmas at the Elms. Guests can artfully ring in the New Year with tasty food and interesting art.
“From 11:30 a.m. until we run out of food, we welcome the community to partake in one last holiday hurrah with brunch and live music,” said Morrison. “It’s our gift back to the community for supporting us every year.”
Visit jrbartgallery.com.
Print headline: Elms Christmas, JRB Art at the Elms’ Christmas at the Elms provides shoppers with perfect gifts.
