This month’s First Friday Peterborough art crawl, taking place on December 2, provides a wealth of opportunities to find unique locally made artwork for everyone on your gift list this holiday season while also supporting local artists. art organizations, and locally owned small businesses.

The free, self-guided, family-friendly art crawl takes place at various galleries, businesses, venues, and artist studios, with most exhibits located in the downtown core — including several at the Commerce Building at 129 1/2 Hunter Street West — and running from 6 to 10 p.m.

December’s art crawl also includes a fine art and craft show just across the Hunter Street Bridge in East City. “8 at the Guild” takes place from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Peterborough Theatre Guild (364 Rogers St.) and features functional ceramics by Thomas Aitken and Kate Hyde, glass works by Christy Haldane, one-of-a-kind cards by painter Bea Quarrie, scratchboard originals by Lisa Martini-Dunk, glass works by Susan Rankin, original paintings and prints by David Smith, glass jewellery by Kira Robertson, and original paintings by Diana Collins Wilkes.

Also new to First Friday Peterborough this December is an outdoor winter market running from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Commerce Building Square (29 1/2 Hunter St. W.). The market features poetry, live music, hot beverages and treats, and artworks and gifts. Vendors include Kit Coffee, Jeff Macklin of Jackson Creek Press, Third Circle Ceramics, Cheek, Juli Sage, Bethany Davis, Miguel Hernandez Autorino, and Marcia Watt.

Studio 5 at Heather Doughty Photography (129 1/2 Hunter St. W.) is hosting a pop-up art show from 6 to 9:30 p.m. featuring landscape and abstract art by Andrew Zahorouski and Donna Bolam, live storytelling by Hermione Rivison, and selected unframed prints from photographers showcased in past SPARK Photo Festival themed juried exhibits. The SPARK print sale accepts cash and onsite e-transfer only, with all proceeds supporting SPARK programming.

Along with the pop-up art show, you can also browse the current exhibit at Studio 5: a collection of fine art in oils, acrylics, watercolours, charcoal, pastels, and photography by
Arne Roosman, James Matheson, Hannah Spinney, Nancy Simmons Smith, Anita Murphy, Heather Doughty, Freddie Towe, Henry Gordon, Leilah Ward, and John Maris.

Artspace (3-378 Aylmer St. N.) is hosting its first annual holiday market from 6 to 9 p.m. on First Friday. Vendor artists and artisans include Linda Patterson of Arts of Delight (dolls), The Fanciful Hooker (textiles), DawnMoon Studio (earrings), Cedarlilie Beads (beadwork), Timothy Laurin (sculptural jewellery), Kathryn Durst (illustration), and Elizabeth Popham (acrylics and photographic decoupage). Other participating vendor artists and artisans include Rob Niezen, Haille Dockery, Summer Roads, Bethany LeBlonc, Kelly King Mosaics, Walnuts and Wonders, and Fairy Island Fibres.

As the holiday market is also a fundraiser for low-barrier arts programming in Artspace’s new Maker Space, entry is by donation ($3 recommended). Artspace will also be selling raffle tickets for a basket filled with local art and handcrafted goodies. If you can’t make it to First Friday, the market continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, which also will feature a free art-making workshop from 12 to 4 p.m. in the new Maker Space. Drop in and make an ornament with facilitators from Creating Space Peterborough.

Note that masks are mandatory for all vendors, volunteers, and patrons during the holiday market.

The Art School of Peterborough (178A Charlotte St.) is also hosting a holiday art market from 6 to 9 p.m. on First Friday, featuring works by various local artists. If you can’t make it to First Friday, the market continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

If you’re interested in body art, you’ll want to drop by Riverside Tattoo & Skate Shop (127 Simcoe St.) on First Friday to check out the gallery of tattoo flash, paintings, prints, custom goods, and clothing featuring six artists from Riverside Tattoo (Stephen Shaw, Olivia Chessman, Cole Curtis, Kris Manbeck, Jesse Owen, and Emma Thompson), three artists Kent Street Tattoo in Lindsay (Corrie Worden, Danielle Poir, and Ainsley Worsley) and two artists from Take Care Tattoo in Port Perry (Jennifer Lawes and Jessica Channer).

Here are some of the other shows and exhibits taking place during First Friday Peterborough:

• A framed arts show featuring a variety of local artists at Watson & Lou (383 Water St.)
• “Winter Wonderland” by Kelly Albin at Blue Frogs Legs (393 Water St., 3rd Floor, Studio 7)
• “Snow and Monsters” with augmented reality, animation, and interactive art by Kim Beavis Sanderson at Francey Studio (129 1/2 Hunter St. W., Studio 3)
• Works by nature artist Jenn Baici at the Gallery in the Lounge in Revive Hair Lounge (73 Hunter St. E.)
• Functional pottery including ceramic tableware and serving ware by Brenda Lee at East City Knife Co. (376 Water St.)
• “Winter Wonderland” by Madi Day and Jessica KH at Turner & Pooch (142 Simcoe St.)
• 4th Annual Winter’s Market featuring works by various Peterborough artists at Ludmila Gallery (129 1/2 Hunter St. W. 2nd Floor). The exhibit opens from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday Friday and continues on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. until December 23.
• Collage, mixed media, and anime art by Jade Wallace at The Food Shop (372 Water St.)
• A one-year anniversary group show by the Peterborough Arts Collective and “Psychedelic Holidaze,” a collection of projected festive visual art by digital artist Ashley Hall, at Jason Wilkins Factory (188 Hunter St. W. #7).
• “Imagination & Art” by Lily Frampton at Tragically Dipped Donut (386 Water St.). This is Lily’s first art show, days before her 11th birthday.
• Acrylic painter Kate “Gissy” Grightmire and cosmetic tattoo artist Emily Poisson at EJP Studio (395 Water St.).

For more information about First Friday Peterborough, visit firstfridayptbo.com.

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