CHOCOL'ART HOLIDAY EXHIBIT FARMINGTON VALLEY ARTS CENTER , AVON, CT SATURDAY DECEMBER 8th, 2012, 10-4 p.m.

Artful Giving At The Chocol'Art Holiday Exhibit Farmington Valley Arts Center 

There is as lot of new activity at The Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT (just off Route 44).

This Saturday, December 8th, 2012, is the Chocol'Art event, when all of the artist studios are open and free chocolate treats are offered to visitors.  You can also make "Star Books" with Avis Turner.

The Farmington Valley Art Center is abuzz with special holiday workshops, holiday themed programs and plenty of artful shopping opportunities.

As a studio artist myself on the second floor of FVAC, I have an inside view of  the wonderful classes, workshops, exhibits, speakers and events that are ongoing .  I even have a birds eye view of the  "Yarn Graffiti" covering the trees in front of  the artist  studios.

Handmade Holiday Gifts  At The  
Farmington Valley Arts Center

The theme of this years holiday season is "Artful Giving" with an emphasis on sharing art with friends and loved ones as an alternative to manufactured gifts. In the larger Fisher Gallery, and smaller  Esther Drezner Gallery you will find dozens of handmade treasures such as wearable art, hand painted silk scarves, textiles, ceramics, notecards, jewelry, toys, paintings, collage, ornaments, holiday decor, Judaica and more.

Creating Holiday Garland With Foam Packing Materials 

On two floors of the Farmington Valley Arts Center you can visit and talk with artists who work in a variety of modalities. New to the FVAC this year are the addition of art studios leased by several local art teachers, designers and artisans who add a vibrant and novel approach to art making.  You will find plenty of surprises at  FVAC.

"Painting" With A Blow Torch

Be sure to visit the second floor where you will see how the current Artist In Residence , Stephanie Lauretano, "paints" with a mini blow torch.

In another nearby studio, Anita Balkin creates decorative garland  out of foam packing material. She also makes mobiles out of used drum sticks.  Bring your family as there is so much to learn at  FVAC for all age groups.

For more information, directions and schedules visit  http://www.artsfvac.org/visit-us/

To see artist profiles of all of  Farmington Valley Artists visit http://www.artistsfvac.org/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists