Islanders who want to support the Island economy and Jersey craft workers by giving locally made gifts this Christmas should make a beeline for The Harbour Gallery in St Aubin.
The gallery is the hub of local artistic talent, exhibiting and selling the work of more than 120 Jersey artists and craft workers, many of who are members of the Genuine Jersey Products Association. Their works include paintings, photographs, prints, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, leather, 3D, sculpture, cards, soft toys and much more.
Gallery founder and owner Pat Robson says that this Christmas there will be more than ever exciting local art and crafts exhibited including firm favourites and many new exhibitors. And the outside of the gallery will be festooned with lights with a seasonal welcome guaranteed inside.
“We are particularly excited about our late night shopping evenings where beautiful stalls selling Christmas gifts will be set up in Gallery 2, and mulled wine will be on offer. What a wonderful opportunity to stay at St Aubin for the evening, do your shopping then eat in Cameo Cafe sampling Genuine Jersey Produce cooked by top Island chefs.”
During November and December three days and evenings are being dedicated to members works with. In addition to the usual gallery and retail spaces, there will be stalls down the driveway selling a variety of festive goods, from 2 pm to 7.45 pm. Then it is over to Genuine Jersey chefs and cooks - Marcus Calvani of La Cantina, Tony and Helen Sargent of Jersey Kitchen and Richard and Sarah Matlock of La Robeline - who will be producing special three-course menus from 8 pm over the three nights.
Mrs Robson says it is advisable to book a table in advance with menus available from partintheframe@yahoo.co.uk
The Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey, John Garton, thanked Mrs Robson for her unstinting support for the Island’s artistic community.
‘The Harbour Gallery is a loyal supporter of our members and the ideal showcase for Jersey artists and craftworkers. By buying local at Christmas, Islanders will be supporting the Island economy and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of enterprising and talented Islanders,’ he said.
The special events take place on Wednesdays 26 November and 3 and 10 December.
Also in December there will be a dedicated Genuine Jersey Christmas weekend on the 13th and 14th from 10 am to 5 pm with more craft stalls both inside and outside the gallery filled with seasonal gifts produced in Jersey.
At 4 pm on Sunday 14th everyone is invited to The Harbour Gallery for the Christmas Draw, all for cash prizes.
There will also be craft workshops for children and Mother Claus will be in residence – her husband being rather busy elsewhere – and masses of festive spirit to the sound of local choirs. And to keep the little ones occupied once the schools break up, from 16 December the gallery will we will be running its traditional programme of children's Christmas workshops.
