The Art of Museum Shopping

It is always good to make the rounds of the art museum gift shops before the holidays and there are a few annual events. Why not enjoy attending both to get in the spirit and knock a few gifts off the list. You can also give them the gift that keeps on giving: a year-long Membership to the Museum of your choice.

The following tips are from Kaarin Vaughn:

• For that truly unique gift there is no better place to look than Museum Gift Stops. Look for one off and even signed works by artists. YES, it is free to go in the gift shoe in ALL these Museums.
• The Museum shops are an often overlooked gift resource, most likely due to the hours of operation, which cater more to a tourist schedule. Most of these establishments open late morning and close before most offices do.
• Children are really fun to shop for, and at these shops. Some of the best children’s books and toys of a very high caliber are available if your trying to impress! And what could make a better impression than sending your sisters kids kits for making sand art or painting set. Messy and more fun if you are out of town and safe.
• The whole group of BALBOA PARK MUSEUMS has a special event: Shop the Park each holiday season usually in the Copley auditorium of the MUSEUM OF ART, An extra bonus is their free gift wrapping.
• Most Impressive this year would have to be the selection at the MINGEI MUSEUM (Tuesday through Sunday 10-4) www.mingei.org They have all the bases covered here. Books are fantastic, jewelry, posters, jewelry textiles and objet d’art. Many times the items are related to the current show including some beautiful origami. Besides a black silk jacket from India that I had to have, my favorites were the Niki Saint Phalle Tarot cards and inflatable icons designed by the artist. There are occasional trunk shows of local artist held in the gift shop. A local jewelry designer had a show while I was shopping a couple weeks ago. More for the adult here, but there was an array of small children’s toys, perfect for stocking stuffers.
• THE SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART (Tues-Sun 10-6 Thurs 10-9pm www.sdmart.org ) has a fine gift shop where I found a large selection of holiday cards, a impressive selection of jewelry from a Cartier-esqe moonstone ring with ruby and diamonds to modern chunky kinetic looking silver pieces. The book selection is excellent for adults and children including Stuffed Dolls that go with Scary Stories books.
• SPANISH VILLAGE (Studios open 11-4 daily www.spanishvillageart.com) This is a great one stop shopping destination, with many different artist studios all together. If jewelry is on someone's list what better place to come for a beautiful one of a kind piece. Very affordable hand blown glass ornaments $15 a piece seems to be the going rate at most studios, my favorite is right as you enter the village on the right, Mad Art studios has some very affordable vases and glass jewelry as well. The work of Michael Maddy and Rina Fehrensen is colorful and fun like the glass bug on a glass flower paperweight
• Museum of Photographic Arts (Monday - Sunday, 10 - 5, and Thursday until 9. The MoPA Museum Store is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day www.mopa.org ) Don’t miss the fun trick cameras which make great stocking stuffers or a gift exchange winner. Adorn your home with beautiful photography lamps. The selection of artist work and books on photography is extensive. This is a must visit as it allow you a peek a the show in the lobby for free.
• MOCA LA JOLLA (11-5 everyday except 11-7 Thursday closed Wed www.mcasandiego.org) The book selection is good here but unlike downtown, the La Jollla store has many decorative vessels, some wonderful organic yet modern ceramic vessels reasonably priced and other practical items with modern design, like the Philipe Stark house wares.
• MOCA DOWNTOWN (Mon Tues Thurs Fri 10-5 Sat Sun 11-5 www.mcasandiego.org) Mostly books and smaller items for office and home like the Low rider magnet set. Personal accessories and jewelry, but the book selection is amazing and even for your non artist the range of topics they cover from Animal photography to Vespas. Fun kids books and toys like the “lets start” books which are a book and a kit for creating all in one. Gift wrap is $1 extra and gift certificates are available in any denomination.

Added information from Carole Lindsley

• Oceanside Museum of Art (Tues-Sat 10 – 4, Sun 1 – 4 www.oma-online.org) One of the most interesting groupings of art object put together by Beth Smith who gathered a collection of one of a kind objects that feature the expert craftsmanship of local and regional artists.

  My favorite items are assorted serving sets of brightly colored “Laquerware” featured in a variety of bright colors and strong shapes including turquoise (my favorite) and red with lustrous finishes. There are large serving bowls, and a smaller variety of serving platters. All in geometric shapes. There is also “Laquerware” jewelry. Speaking of jewelry – there is a variety of beautiful pieces from Africa such as painted wood beads, rings and bracelets, beautiful brass bracelets by Isikova and Skagen watches. Additional items from Africa include pillows, ceramic animals, baskets and candles. Stunning painted glass bracelets are also featured. Multicolored silk scarves by Lui’s creations are reasonably priced as well.

  Some of the more collectible items include art quilts by Charlotte Bird. There are even mobiles strong enough to make an impression, yet affordable enough to take home.

  A great idea would be to bring home a book on some of the worlds’ finest contemporary artists, architects and sculptors such as James Hubbell and Joel Shapiro. These are available along with puzzles and note cards. I especially like some of the stationary items combining both function with an affordable form.

  My bargain pick were the “art boxes” – beautiful little works of art in the shape of boxes about the size of a deck of cards available for purchase from a vintage cigarette machine. They only cost $5.00 and the after the token is exchanged at the register you get to pluck your token in the machine – pull out your selection and Viola! out comes your purchase in the tray at the bottom. A work of art and entertainment all rolled into one for less than the price of a sandwich! Merry shopping and a happy new shopping venue!

Learn more by exploring these developing features in

Choose One Ten Tips for Collectors Seven Types of Collectors Commissioning Art 1. Business Basics for the Collector

Choose one Collecting Emerging Artists Corporate Collecting Attending an Open Studio Event Buying at Art Auction Buying at Art Fairs Museum Gift Shops Ask the Gallery Owner 2. The Collectors's Marketplace

Choose One 3. Meet The Collector

Choose One Bibliography for Artist Marketing Art Advice from Sylvia White Robert Genn's Five Collectors 4. The Published Collector

 

Click here for Art Rocks! interview with Larry Poteet on Commissioning Art
Click here for Art Rocks! interview with Ernest Silva on collecting Emerging Artists
Click here for Art Rocks! interview with Joe Vilella on Corporate Collecting

More topics are added every month so please visit often.

For more information contact info@SDVisualArts.net