7 Reasons to Shop Local Art in NWCT this Holiday Season
Support local artists this holiday shopping season!
Header image: Earrings by Leslie O'Neill.
Pictured above: Jewelry by Danielle Mailer.
1. Your gifts will be more unique.
When you buy from a large chain store or online retailer, you always run the risk that your gift might be generic or that your recipient might already have an item like it. When you buy from local artists and craftspeople, on the other hand, you can almost always be sure that your gift will be one-of-a-kind. Northwest Connecticut is fortunate to be home to numerous artists working in different media, meaning that whatever type of gift you’re looking for, you’re likely to find something great!
2. Locally-made products have a local touch.
Many local artists are inspired by their surroundings. From paintings featuring local landscapes to books on local history, people in our area are always creating things that celebrate the look and feel of Northwest Connecticut and make perfect gifts for other area residents.
Pictured: "Litchfield, CT" by Susan Lerner. Prints available on the artist's website.
3. You get to make a personal connection with the artists you purchase from.
Whether it’s at a craft fair, during an open studio event, or through online communications during a purchase, many artists love being able to talk to people about their work. When you buy from a local artist, you get the opportunity to ask them questions about how and why they create their pieces.
4. You’re reducing your environmental impact.
The last few years have made us all very aware that large chain stores and online retailers have far-reaching and complex supply chains. Whether those goods are being moved by plane, by train, or by automobile, the environmental impact adds up! When you buy locally, you’re reducing the carbon footprint of your purchase - especially when many artists themselves try to use locally-sourced goods.
Pictured: Felted wool pot by Dana Rau.
5. You’re helping to keep dollars in our NWCT community.
Money spent locally helps to sustain and improve our local economy and local communities. While much of the money spent at large retailers goes to the owners and shareholders of those large companies, money that you spend buying from local artists and local businesses goes straight to local people, who in turn are more likely to use that money to support other local businesses and organizations. Buying locally helps to make a stronger and more interconnected local economy for us all.
6. You’re supporting local artists and their businesses.
The money you spend with independent artists helps to keep their arts businesses going. By purchasing a piece you like, you’re helping to make sure that artist can continue to afford supplies, studio space, and the other necessities of running an arts business and creating more art. By buying from local artists and encouraging others to buy from local artists, you also help to educate people about the value and importance of local art.
Pictured: "Dressage Horse" by Carol Brightman Johnson. Prints available on the artist's Etsy.
7. You’re investing in the future of the NWCT community!
The arts make our area a more fun and interesting place to live, work, and visit. By supporting local artists, you’re helping to make sure that the arts in our area continue to grow and thrive. Thank you!
Thank you for being a patron of the arts in NWCT! Keep an eye out for Small Business Saturday (Saturday, November 26, 2022) and Artists Sunday (Sunday, November 27, 2022) to learn more about how you can support local artists and craftspeople this holiday shopping season.
