This weekend's artsy open house

Just in case you didn't get enough gift ideas from our center spread, here's another - on Dec. 12 and 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mill Brook Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, 236 Hopkinton Road, will be holding a holiday open house.

During the open house, you're invited to drop in and scope out (and purchase!) an array of art, sculptures, jewelry and pottery, while munching on home-made cookies and sipping a tasty beverage. The gallery also held an open house last weekend, but you may have been too busy making snow angels to stop by.

After we were done frolicking in the snow, we talked with Pam Tarbell, who not only owns Mill Brook Gallery but is also the woman behind the homemade cookies you'll consume over the weekend. She gave us the skinny, but if you're looking for more information, call 226-2046 or visit themillbrookgallery.com. If you can't make it this weekend, the gallery's regular hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and by appointment.

What can people expect to see at the gallery?/

Three gallery rooms are full of fantastic fine art and crafts by local, regional and national artists. They are exhibiting paintings, jewelry, pottery, sculpture and mobiles in many styles and medium.

The gallery is here to support the artists, and a gallery is a way to see many art works in one place.

Plus, we are located in a peaceful country setting of Concord - with no lines and no parking issues and are just five minutes from Main Street.

Why should someone give the gift of art?

A gift of art is a unique creation, a one-of-a-kind that took the artist many hours to create. It is special, and no other gift will be like it; and it could grow a lot in value over the years, and be something special to hand down.

But, first you should buy something you love. It will enrich your surroundings, and give you visual enjoyment.

What type of people can you cross off your shopping list at the open house?

There's something for everyone - a variety of styles and prices for everyone's taste and budget.

Art can be pricey. Is there a way to get in and out of the open house with out breaking the bank?

Yes, I have several very affordable gifts at the gallery. More than 50 paintings are marked at 25 percent-off, jewelry starts at $35 and pottery starts at $25.

Gift certificates are also available, as well as lay-away.

Are there new artists you're working with? Anyone you're particularly excited about?

There are many news artists that come to the gallery. Sally Ladd Cole (Concord) and David Fleming (Andover) are two excellent painters. It is always a pleasure to show top quality artists.