Tis the season — for ARTful living!
There are always oh-so many things to experience during this time of year—and it’s all wonderful.
As you shop for holiday gifts, please remember that some of the very best gifts you can give are those ARTful experiences: take the family to a live musical performance, stroll through an exhibition together, enjoy a play with someone dear. I guarantee that such times will be remembered long after the latest gotta-have fad has faded. ARTful gifts, made by a local artist’s hand, add a layer of special meaning. It’s certain those one-of-a-kind items tell the recipients that you sincerely put extra thought and care into chosing the gift.
Find those handmade items at the St. Charles County Arts Council’s Holiday Craft Fair on December 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for holiday shopping. Admission is free, at Lilian Yahn Gallery, 3028 Winghaven Blvd. in O’Fallon. www.stcharlesart.org .
Not far from there, Crossroads Arts Council presents its Holiday Gallery Show & Sale, December 2-23, with All-Under-$100 artful offerings. The gallery is located at 310 W. Pierce Blvd. in Wentzville. www.crossroadsartscouncil.org.
St. Louis Classical Guitar Orchestra presents a special Sunday afternoon (2 p.m.) concert at the Kirkwood Public Library on December 18. www.stlclassicalguitar.org .
Christmas at the Cathedral fills the magnificent St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell, with song performed by the Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra on December 11, 2:30 p.m. Tickets at www.cathedralconcerts.org.
Holiday cheer abounds at beautiful Powell Hall. The Bach Society’s Candlelight Christmas Concert, a St. Louis holiday tradition since 1951, celebrates the season’s music on December 9, 7:30 p.m. Reserve tickets at www.bachsociety.org.
From December 2-31, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs some 21 concerts (!!) at Powell Hall, so order those tickets today. Along with the beloved classics, there are even fun, family-favorite film screenings with live scores performed on December 22-23 (Home Alone) and December 29-30 (Elf). www.slso.org .
The Touhill rings in the holiday season in a big way as well: On December 2, the United States Air Force Band of the Midwest performs Spirit of the Season at 7 p.m. This concert is free, but tickets are required. Reserve asap at www.touhill.org .
Continuing the Touhill’s festive performances, Ambassadors of Harmony return with Sounds of the Season for five performances, December 9-11. UMSL Music presents Jazz for the Holidays, December 4 at 3 p.m. with a variety of musical groups, including the Arianna String Quartet. St. Louis Ballet brings The Nutcracker to the stage for multiple performances, December 16-23. Details for all at www.touhill.org .
Treat your favorite little ballerina to Ballet Eclectica’s The Little Dancer: Moments in Time. The classic performance gets an innovative spin by these COCA dancers, December 8-11. Additionally, on December 11 (2-5 p.m.) delight in The Little Dancer’s Tea Party. Details and tickets for both at www.COCAstl.org .
As part of the festivities on December 3 during Miracle on Summit, Webster Ars, 2 Summit Avenue, invites children to pop in anytime 6-8 p.m. and create a special winter art project. Webster Arts also presents Seasonal Rhythms, through December 23. The works in this exhibition evoke the emotions associated with the changing of seasons. www.webster-arts.org .
Through December 15, Art St. Louis XXXVIII, The Exhibition fills the gallery at 1223 Pine with 50 juried and diverse works by 44 regional artists. In the ASL Online Gallery, Whimsey runs December 1-February 1. The works in this virtual exhibition promise to be playful and quirky. Details on both shows at www.artstlouis.org .
Local artist Glenda Hares’ paintings are on display at Norton’s Fine Art & Framing, 2025 S. Big Bend. The exhibition continues through January 7. www.nortonsfineart.com.
Just 65-mile drive west is the charming Lyon School Studio & Art Gallery (Berger, MO), home of noted artist Julie Wiegand. Her latest paintings are displayed during the Annual Holiday Studio Sale and Open House, noon-6 p.m. December 10-11. www.juliewiegand.com .
Through December 17, Bruno David Gallery hosts Frank Schwaiger: Signals, Charles Turnell: See Beauty Everywhere, Lisa K. Blatt: Corruption, Charles P. Reay: Federico da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza, plus Untitled: A Group Exhibition. All at 7513 Forsyth. www.brunodavidgallery.com.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice or simply the quiet calm of nature’s rhythm, may you be surrounded peace and love during this beautiful season.