Holiday
Brooklynites ‘Shop the Studios’ in Dumbo
BY JADA CAMILLE
Holiday shopping was
a breeze this past weekend
in Dumbo, where
artists teamed up for
“Shop the Studios” — a
showcase of local galleries
and a one-stop-shop
for Brooklynites looking
for one-of-a-kind gifts.
A whopping 35 artists
opened their studios to
the public during “Shop
the Studios,” which took
place at noon on Dec. 12
and served as “an opportunity
for locals and
tourists alike to connect
directly with artists
working in Dumbo,” according
to organizers.
Kate Gavirel, the cultural
affairs director at
Two Trees — a local real
COURIER LIFE, D 16 ECEMBER 17-23, 2021
estate company and one
of the event’s sponsors
alongside the Dumbo
Business Improvement
District and Art
in DUMBO — said the
business has been dedicated
to the neighborhood’s
art community
for some time. The idea
for Shop the Studios was
grown out of a desire to
include local creators in
the annual holiday market,
she told Brooklyn
Paper.
“When we were
talking to the Dumbo
Business Improvement
District about their upcoming
plans and they
mentioned the holiday
fl ea market, we talked
with them about if
there’s a way to get the
artists in the neighborhood
involved,” said Gavirel.
Organizers then decided
to combine two
community events: the
Christmas fl ea market
and the annual open studios
event that usually
happens in the spring.
“Shop the studios is
an extension of the classic
holiday market with
the Brooklyn fl ea’s located
right in the middle
of the neighborhood. We
wanted to get Dumbo’s
artists involved, especially
after two tumultuous
years through the
pandemic, said Gavirel.
Organizers then
contacted the local creators.
Brooklyn shoppers got to
tour studios and take home
some unique holiday gifts on
Saturday, Dec. 12 at Dumbo’s
fi rst annual “Shop the Studios”
event. Shop the Studios
“We reached out to
the list of open studio
participants and invited
them to participate
in this event,” said
Gavirel.“We’re really
thrilled to be able to
support local artists by
connecting them with
holiday shoppers, particularly
those who come
to the fl ea in search of
handmade or unique
gifts.”
Jen Ferguson, one of
the event’s participating
designers, has had
her studio in Dumbo for
many years. Her work
focuses on fi gurative
and architectural pieces
as well as oil paintings.
“This sounded like
a really fun way to reconnect
with people,”
she told Brooklyn paper
prior to the shopping extravaganza.
“It’s been so
long since we’ve had the
ability to have in-person
open studios. It’s really
nice to be able to invite
people over.”
In all, the event drew
hundreds, said Gavriel,
who is already looking
ahead to repeating Shop
the Studios’ success next
holiday season.
“I’m thrilled with the
success of this year’s
Shop the Studios event,”
she told Brooklyn Paper.
“Not only did shoppers
get the chance see DUMBO’s
incredible artists
in action and purchase
one-of-a-kind gifts, but
the event also provided
a platform for the artists
to connect with new audiences
and make additional
sales during this
holiday season.”
For more hyper-local Brooklyn
news on your computer,
smartphone, or tablet, visit
BrooklynPaper.com.
CATERERS
New Year’s Eve
2021
– 7:30 pm –
“Cocktail Hour Featuring 24 Items”
Dinner Choice of:
FOR RESERVATIONS
718-331-2900
Valet Parking
8015/23 13th Ave, Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11228
www.siricos.net
Hats & Noise Makers
Simulcast Ball Dropping
in Times Square
Bring in the New Year with
Extreme Rhythm DJ’s
Liquor, Wine,
$175
Per Person
/www.siricos.net
/BrooklynPaper.com
/www.siricos.net