A Gift Guide for the Art Lover in Your Life

Support local businesses by shopping early this year.

Stores are shut down again in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada—which means it’s the perfect time to get some early holiday shopping in. Below, I’ve compiled gifts for every art-lover in your life. In other words, I’ve created a list of things I wouldn’t mind receiving this Christmas.

You’ll notice that the list is compiled of local Canadian creators and stores—as I continue to return to the question of what is a community and how can we build it, one of the easiest ways to do that is support local businesses (when possible) this holiday season.

Comment below what you have your eyes on, or your favourite local shops, this holiday shopping season!

For the art student: Editorial Magazine 2021 Calendar

With the pandemic hitting it’s one-year mark earlier this month, my concept of time is hazy at best. That’s why this year’s Editorial Calender is more important than ever. Bonus: cut out your favourite images and frame them once the year is over. $32 USD.

For the apple of your eye: Glass Apple by Peter Gudrunas

Made by glass artist Peter Gudrunas in his studio near the shores of Lake Erie, this apple would make a great gift for a teacher (including the recently inducted homeschool-teacher) in your life. $70 CAD

For the person bored in lockdown: Michah Lexier Puzzle

A meta-puzzle for mega-puzzle lovers. Also frameable. $25 USD.

For the fashionable art patron: Olfactive Studio Discovery Kit

A perfume design studio that draws its inspiration from photography, Olfactive Studio’s first three perfumes explored the topics of self-portraits, still lives, and camera obscura. What do those things smell like exactly? This discovery kit is a good place to find out. $40 CAD.

For the aspiring artist: Beam Childen’s palette

Beam Paint’s lighfast pigments are: plastic-free, made with wildflower honey, handmade, and a 100% Indigenous female entrepreneurship! $40 CAD.

For someone who’s day needs brightening: Flowers by Tara Wells

These are so delightful and cheery—sure to brighten someone’s WFH set up. $65 CAD.

For the emerging art collector: Looking Down On It by Nathan Carson

I love Ninth Edition’s ethos: for a bit more money (a lot of the art on Ninth Editions is under $500), you can rid yourself of generic IKEA art and buy original work from emerging artists. Plus, the curation is top-notch. $1200

For the photography collector: Family, Stary Tekov, I by Deanna Pizzitelli

I’m a big fan of Deanna Pizzitelli’s work. The one word it reminds me of: haunting. $700 USD.

For the art-statement-maker: MAD AUNTY Limited Edition Earrings and Necklace

Let’s set the scene: the pandemic is over, there’s a groupshow opening at the cool artist-run space in your city, you show up in these earrings, you party till the early morning. $50 CAD.

For the in-the-know art lover: Subscription to Canadian Art Forecast

A big thank you to everyone for signing up for this newsletter! I have lots of exciting content planned. While there will always be a free component, there’s also weekly subsriber-only interviews and essays. Paying for this newsletter makes Canadian Art Forecast possible ♥️. $5 CAD a month/$45 CAD a year.