It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Case Western Reserve University's Art in the Circle.

Operated by the University Women's Club, the consignment gallery on the lower level of Tomlinson Hall on the Case campus features fine art by families of Case faculty and staff throughout the school year. But December 1 through December 12 during Art in the Circle's annual Holiday Potpourri, the shop, which is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, also will showcase Christmas crafts and other creative works like seasonal wreaths, angels and ornaments.

"It's a great little place to do any shopping-especially Christmas shopping," said Donna Ernst, co-coordinator of the gallery. "We'll have a lot of items perfect for gift-giving and decorating that we don't carry the rest of the year."

Art in the Circle, which is staffed completely by volunteers, shows works by about 25 different faculty, staff and family-members. The art of all shapes and sizes ranges from paintings, pottery and photographs to jewelry and greeting cards. Nearly all items, including holiday pieces, are priced under $50.

The gallery uses proceeds from all sales to support university arts-related projects that would not otherwise receive funding. Since its inception in 1985, Art in the Circle has offered grants to a wide variety of projects, including an electronic keyboard for the music department, artwork for the University Health Services office and even new maps for the geology department.

"Inspired by its new vision, the university is becoming more and more involved in serving the community," Ernst said. "Art in the Circle, by providing a place for family members of faculty and staff to show their artwork and volunteer their time, allows the community the opportunity to give back to the university."

In addition to Art in the Circle, the University Women's Club, which consists mainly of the spouses of Case faculty members, also sponsors newcomers', bridge, book and play readers' groups and hosts speakers throughout the year.
Its sister organization, the University Women's Club of the School of Medicine, offers similar programming and conducts bake sales two or three times a year to raise funds for student scholarships.

For more information on the club or the Holiday Potpourri or to learn more about entering items for sale or volunteering to work at Art in the Circle and applying for grants, call Ernst at 283-7462 or the shop during business hours at 368-6060.

Other co-coordinators of Art in the Circle are Eleanor Shankland, Else Klein and Elizabeth Zagorski.

Return to the online edition of the 11-20-03 Campus News.