The annual Catalina Art Association’s annual holiday boutique is back in swing, offering a variety local artisan gifts and art pieces for purchase. Those looking for unique Christmas gifts can find the boutique in the Post Office Arcade. The Catalina Island Company offered the space when the associations original venue fell through.
“We are so lucky to have this spot … to have locals and visitors be able to get island made art,” Catalina Art Association Executive Director Laura “Lola” DiMiele said.
DiMiele, along with Sandi Cohen and Angela Bogard originally started the holiday boutique 33 years ago with a weekend event in Cohen’s living room. Now it runs for a couple of weeks and will be open this season until Dec. 23. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. As it grew it became a regular event in the Teen Center of Avalon Community Church before outgrowing the room. This year’s boutique has about 20 vendors and new items are added daily. Part of the proceeds go to supporting the Catalina Art Association, so DiMiele encourages locals to check it out and to tell visitors about it.
“Art makes a wonderful holiday gift,” DiMiele said.
