By: The Dirt
Davis is home to world-renowned artists, craftspeople, and makers, meaning—luckily for us—holiday gifts can be both one-of-a-kind treasures and literal fuel for our local economy.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is known nationally as Artists Sunday, meant to encourage shoppers to spend their dollars supporting local artists, musicians, writers and performers.
Think of it as “no tariff shopping” City of Davis Arts & Culture Manager Rachel Hartsough jokes. But she means business. The return on investment is high when it comes to dollars spent on the arts.
Across the country, the nonprofit arts and culture sector generates $877 billion annually, supporting more than 5 million jobs and generating $30 billion in government revenue, according to Americans for the Arts. And when people come to town for the arts, it benefits everyone in our hyperlocal economy, as the average visitor spends an additional $38 in shops and cafés, as well.
In Davis, every handmade gift purchased or studio visited keeps the creative sector thriving.
“Times are hard. Rents are expensive,” Hartsough told The Dirt. “Artists make our quality of life so much more rich, so how can we ensure that they get to stick around doing the things they love? Supporting local artists is an important way to fuel the local economy.”
Artist Sunday brings big “think outside the box” vibes, too. “Gifts do not need to be something you can hold in your hand,” Hartsough said.
Here’s our OUTSIDE THE BOX gift guide to help you cross names off your holiday list!
- Art classes: Davis Arts Center, Bubblegum Art Studio, Pence Gallery, UC Davis Craft Center
- Dance classes: Pamela Trokanski Dance Workshop, Stambusky Studios, Applegate Dance Studio, Mirror Image Dance Company
- Fine art: The Artery, Pence Gallery, John Natsoulas Gallery, Sara Post, Third Space
- Gifts: Davis Craft & Vintage Fair, Pence Gallery’s Holiday Market, The Artery, The Avid Reader, Davis Art Market on 3rd St, Armadillo Music, Newsbeat.
- Gourmet food: Davis Farmers Market, Mabel’s Market
- Instruments: Watermelon Music
- Local authors: The Avid Reader, Logos Books, Newsbeat
- Arts & craft supplies: The Paint Chip, Avid & Co.
- Memberships: Pence Gallery, Davis Live Music Collective
- Music lessons: Watermelon Music, Secret Spot (contact Harry Greer)
- Performances: Davis Musical Theatre Company, Mondavi Center, Sandcastle Theatre, ACME, Studio 301 Productions, and International House
