Holiday shopping season is here and its the perfect time to shop small and support our local small businesses and artists. In addition to your shopping adventure on the First Friday Santa Cruz Art Tour on December 1, we put together five of our favorite shows and shops for one-of-a-kind handmade gifts this holiday.

1. Radius Gallery – “Small Works” show featuring 16 local artists offering small scale work perfect for gifts. Expect to find leatherworks, ceramics, jewelry, small paintings and printmakings, alebrijes, cards and prints, woodworks, collage and more.

Open Wednesday-Sunday from 12-5pm | Nov 17-Dec 23
Located at the Tannery Arts Center, 1050 River Street, Studio 127 | www.radius.gallery/

“Small Works” at Radius Gallery 

2. The Tannery Arts Center Winter Art Market – This annual event is the perfect time to visit the Tannery. Over 20 studios are open for holiday shopping, interactive family crafts are offered and the campus will be bustling with live music, public art, coffee and food. We love visiting the sweet artsy shop SALT the Store, Ceramics Studio 122 and the Printmakers at the Tannery.

Saturday, December 9 | 10am-5pm
Tannery Arts Center | 1060-1050 River St | https://www.tanneryartscenter.org/

3. Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center – The “Gift of Art” annual show and sale, featuring artwork for the holidays. We adore this unique hub of creativity in the mountains! Expect to find ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, woodworks, cards and more.

Open Thursday-Sunday 12-5pm with extended hours Dec 14-23, open everyday 12-5pm
9341 Mill Street – Ben Lomond | https://www.mountainartcenter.org/

4. ARTISANS & agency – The perfect stop while you’re shopping downtown, ARTISANS & agency is home to a large well curated selection of artisan made gifts. We swoon over their jewelry cases and adore their kids section!

Open 10:30am-6:30pm Sunday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday from 10:30am-8:30pm.
1368 Pacific Ave – Downtown Santa Cruz | https://artisanssantacruz.com/

5. Art of Santa Cruz – Located in the Capitola Mall, this artisan collective showcases the work of close to 60 artists in many mediums. There’s sure to be something here for everyone on your list!

Open Monday-Saturday from 10am-6pm & Sunday from 11am-6pm
1855 41st Ave, Suite J-10 | https://www.regionalartisansassociation.org/

“In the spirit of giving this holiday season…give ART!” – Ann Hazels, Radius Gallery

Right – “Gift of Art” at Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Left – Studio 122 at Tannery Arts Center (photos courtesy of the venues)
Featured Image courtesy of Radius Gallery