For the past several years we have featured a staff curated gift guide. Each member of the Abel Contemporary staff has put together a selection of their favorite pieces chosen specifically with gift giving in mind.

Selections from Theresa Abel, Ann Orlowski, Lauren Miller and Natalie Jo Wright. 

- Theresa's Picks -

My selections for this year’s holiday staff picks reflect things that would be especially exciting to receive or to give as gifts. Sometimes I walk through the gallery and look at a piece that has somehow not yet found a home and I think “how is this still here?”  There is a wonderful ceramic piece by Yeonsoo Kim, Relationship Goals, that is beautiful and charming. Wesley T Brown was new to our Ceramics Invitational this year and his teapots were some of my favorite works in the show. They have great form and presence. It was hard to choose just one Charlie Olson piece because each one is a stunning example of an artist having magnificent control of their craft. In the case of the Susanne Henry earrings, these are new pieces from a great new collection that you should check out on her artist page. John S Miller’s, Gentle Breeze is one of a lovely series of pen and ink drawings that are worth spending some time with.

- Ann's Picks -

With such a great selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, this seemed like the best place to start. We added some new artists to our cases this year, including the work of Vivasmith and Lydia Martin. Vivasmith is the collaborative effort of Deborah Vivas and Melissa J. Smith. This duo's work consists of precise geometric shapes fabricated out of steel and complemented by an expressive application of fine silver and 24 karat gold. Lydia Martin creates twisting hollow forms in sterling silver with touches of 18K gold, and finished with a creamy satin laquear. These artists bring innovative design and impeccable craftsmanship to our collection and complement the familiar artists you may recognize. These artists include the delicate silk and sterling work of Erica Schlueter, the architecture inspired designs by Juan Fired, and Lauren Markley's pieces that balance form and color.

Of course, there had to be some ceramics in my collection. The creation She’s with Both of Us by artist couple Lynne Hobaica and Rickie Barnett feels like a character in conflict with herself. Other fantastic ceramics in the collection include the work of Liza Riddle, who joined us for the 20th Annual Ceramics Invitational. Her subtle and weighty designs elegantly embrace the tension between planning and chance. I also chose a candle holder by Maggie Jaszczak featuring delicate floral details and a lovely white satin finish. 

To complete my collection I picked the painting All Over the Place by Deb Gottschalk. Her work will be featured in our first solo show in 2024, which will kick off a great season of shows here at the gallery. These tranquil paintings of water are a beautiful reminder of the calming power of nature. Finally, I chose a piece of Carol Chase Bjerke from the Tourist in Eden series. We featured her work this year in a retrospective in the no. 5 space. Planning and hosting a memorial for such a treasured artist was a big part of my year. It was an honor to be involved in the project, so I wanted to present a piece of her work as a reflection of this past year. 

- Lauren's Picks - 

I’m particularly interested in work that is enigmatic and surreal  with a touch of the uncanny or bizarre. I love work that plays with our expectations of their medium— for example, Lisa Belsky’s Garter Stitch Basket which uses crochet stitches as the foundation for process which transmutes fiber to porcelain, or Deb Gottschalk’s Lift which meticulously hides its brush strokes so well it appears to be a photograph. I really enjoy works that appear to have a narrative, but provide tantalizingly few visual cues as to what that narrative is, such as Skyler Simpson’s Privy, Kelli Hoppmann’s Two Stoics Greet the Day, and Mary Fischer’s House with Woman with Knife. 

- Natalie's Picks - 

I’m in love with Skyler Simpson’s use of flat neon color and her overlapping of pattern. I would hang this on a dark floral wallpapered wall alongside my growing collection of art. My collection won’t be complete until I have one of Kelly Cannole’s ceramic rabbits giving me the knowing and validating and perhaps slightly sarcastic nod. I also love Tom Bartel’s dark and playful faces- this one reminds me of a creepy clown doll my mom had growing up. This Ted Neal Yunomi is so beautiful, masculine and glittery. I’m a big fan of moody, foggy weather- these earrings with the labradorite and this ring with the moonstone by Emily Rogstad remind me of that. And these delicately etched earrings by Lauren Markley are gorgeous. A perfect combination of intricate and bold. This Maggie Jaszczak candle holder reminds me of Beatle Juice (which is always a good thing).  It’s not hard to pick favorites here at the gallery. I hope my picks have inspired you!

See more work by the artists featured in our staff picks feature. 

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