While it may conjure sweet memories of gingerbread and mistletoe for some, the holidays also come with their fair share of stressors and pressure. Add in the cultural insistence that we find the perfect gift for the people that we love (and even some that we don’t), and we start to see our idealistic Hallmark movie moment transform into a capitalistic Battle Royale.
You want something deeply personal, yet accessible; truly one-of-a-kind, yet affordable. Enter art gifts: a totally unexpected and unique way to level up this holiday season. Are you trying to win someone’s heart and make them your beau? Art gifts! Looking to treat your best friend to something special after a rough year? Art gifts! Or how about proving to that pesky in-law that you really do have excellent taste, thank-you-very-much? You guessed it: art gifts.
But we understand that, even under the best circumstances, finding the perfect art gift can feel daunting. And with so little time before the end of the year, there’s even more pressure to move swiftly and smartly. That’s where our expert curators come in.
In addition to last year’s gift guide, which had a focus on unexpected treats for the creatives in your life, we thought it’d be fun to go directly to the experts that interact with hundreds of works on the Artrepreneur platform every single day. Remember: so much of our passion stems from the fact that many of us are creatives in our own right, so we think quite seriously about each individual piece that we vet.
From undulating abstracts to still lifes so realistic you can almost smell them, let’s take a look at this year’s handpicked art gifts.
From Our Commercial Sales Director: Victoria’s Art Gifts
“If I give you art, trust that I love you. I spend so much of my life looking at art, connecting with artists and creating collections – so in a way, gifting art is giving a little part of myself. Love and connection are infectious, and usually, by the time I’m handing over a piece to go live in someone else’s home, I’m halfway through the story of why I think they’d love it – or at least why I love it for them. Gotta say, I don’t think anyone has ever been disappointed. My enthusiasm knows no bounds. An art collection is the gift that keeps on giving – it’s always a story to tell to those that ask, and a way to support a creator. So anyway, buy art – they’ll love it – and you!”
Victoria so perfectly encapsulates why we love the idea of gifting art: not only does it become part of a bigger and ever-growing collection, but it’s also a way to feel good about supporting a creative that speaks to your heart. As one of the leaders of our team, Victoria is proud of her well-earned reputation for being a true ally to artists, and her curations are always diverse while maintaining a distinctive thread that magically unites the collection.
From Our Commercial Operations Director: Masa’s Art Gifts
“The artworks that I buy for my own collection are something that I choose to live with. When I gift art to someone, I always look for a story that I want to tell the person. And it could just be your own interpretation of the artwork. I find it beautiful that art can have its own life. Art is sometimes about how we tell stories.”
Masa’s unparalleled attention to detail and meticulous eye make him another excellent source for thoughtful art gifts that can be easily integrated into tasteful atmospheres.
From Our Member Program Leader: Lauren’s Art Gifts
“When it comes to art gifts, I try to make them as mutually personal as possible. I think of times I’ve shared with the particular friend I’m shopping for and strive to choose something I feel serves as a physical representation of our memories together. I think of what colors they like and the aesthetic of their home and/or creative space. Many of my friends are fellow creatives who share my love for bright, happy colors, so I lean heavily on curating pieces that are vibrant and exude joy. Above all, I aim to gift artwork that will serve as a reminder of our friendship and bring them the same feeling of warmth viewing it that I felt when choosing it especially for them.”
Lauren approaches her work with precision and warmth, and her positive attitude makes her a joy to collaborate with. It should also go without saying that her kind demeanor also extends to her aesthetics, making her a tremendous resource for works that feel personal while giving the warm and fuzzies.
From Our Media Services Director: David’s Art Gifts
“I love the idea of art gifts, it’s something not many people think about. It can be intimidating trying to match someone’s style so I suggest a small framed print that can be a little reminder of your friendship. For your friend with a great plant collection, a graphic for their workspace. For the friend who stands for a cause, a reminder of their strength you admire. For a friend who enjoys the sweet things in life, a print for their pantry. For your friend who moved away, a moment of ‘home.’ For the friend with great style, a spark of inspiration for their closet. Prints can be a great way to think outside the box and perhaps encourage a new art collection!”
David is a point person for almost every member of our team, and his ability to pivot between various needs also makes itself known in how he approaches gifting art. From considering the unique needs of the different people in his life to being thoughtful about size and potential placement, his selections are nothing but thoughtful and inclusive.
From Our Writer and Curator: Kate’s Art Gifts
“Few gifts make me feel as special as a thoughtful print or – if you’re really aiming to spoil – original piece of art. Even as I write this, I am surrounded by decades worth of tokens that remind me of my dear ones and cherished memories with them. It can feel intimidating I’m sure, but I say the bigger the risk the higher the reward. We can all use a little more color in our lives, and affordable art is a beautiful way to deliver.”
Kate’s approach to gifting is all about connecting something beautiful with the right person at the right time – which means, of course, that the holiday season isn’t the only time to think about art gifts! If you’re running short on time or funds, we hope you’ll bookmark this article for a moment that feels right.
Spicy peppers for the proud home chef, family-friendly imagery that speaks to aesthetes young and old, and thoughtful color palettes that can brighten someone’s day: at Artrepreneur, there’s no shortage of beautiful affordable art. So what are you waiting for: how are you going to spoil someone this holiday season?
Art gifts bring a unique touch to any occasion, blending personal sentiment with creative expression. Have you found the perfect piece to gift this holiday season, or are you still on the hunt? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.