The Origins of Holiday Shopping

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.

The Origins Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held their Holiday Makers’ Market III event on December 3^rd and 4^th. The weekend offered a variety of art, photography, crafts, and other items to those who sought something special to give their loved ones for the holiday season. Music was presented by Guitarist Jeff Gibbons on Saturday December 3^rd and by Guitarist Stephan Tsapatoris on Sunday December 4^th. I arrived at the venue on Sunday December 4^th just as the gallery's curator, Jody Singer, was introducing Mr. Tsapatoris to the gathering.

The music Mr. Tsapatoris presented had a deep soulful quality to it that served the event well. His songs added a thoughtfulness to the shopping experience that echoed the meaningfulness of the holiday. The numbers of shoppers ebbed and flowed throughout the day and his music reflected this movement upon the waterways of our souls. You can learn more about Stephan Tsapatoris and his music by at www.soundcloud.com/stephan-tsapatoris.

The individuals who presented their well crafted wares included Photographers Tara Arbogast of Eye Pixelz www.EyePixelz.com and Laurinda Faye Rubin www.laurindafayephotography.com, Artists Maria Ferrieris www.findartsamerica.com Marty Carr www.etsy.com/shop/watercoloredwindows, and Sean Turell www.seanturrell.com, Jewelers of Spirits of Passage who also offered Pixel depicting characters from video games www.spiritsofpassage.com and Michael Kessler who also offered crystals and other geological wonderments, Victoriana furnishings by Christian Kropp of Lux in Tenebris cgk0713@gmail.com, items from Danny Ferron's Steam Punk Collection, herbs and ointments from Bonnie O' Fee's Kitchen www.frombonnieskitchen.com, and comic books from The Gamers Edge Comics and Games Store www.thegamersedgecomics.com. An opportunity to have one's photograph taken with a backdrop to be added digitally was offered by Photographer Jonathan A. MacHale. In addition to this, a great deal of conversation and good will was shared throughout the day.

The day I spent at The Origins Gallery was a delightful one as I not only got to experience the beauty of the work offered for purchase but I also was able to learn more about the artists who created the pieces. The environment of the Holiday Makers’ Market was a relaxed and congenial one which served as a pleasant contrast to the hurried and maddening shopping experiences usually associated with the winter holiday season. I look forward to attending Holiday Makers’ Market IV and I hope to see you there. In the meantime, you'll find more photographs taken during the event in The Origins of Holiday Shopping Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155537770043761.1073742040.91146283760&type=3.

The Origins Gallery is a contemporary arts gallery who also offers classes and special events to the community. They're currently located on the lower level of The Gamers Edge Comics and Games Store at 580 Main St. in Stroudsburg, PA. The Gallery is presently showing their Open Arts Exhibition which will be on display until December 14^th. The next and final show to be on display in their current location will be their Black Canvas Exhibition II with an Artists' Reception scheduled for Saturday December 17^th beginning at 6pm. All artists are invited to participate. The drop off dates are December 14^th and 15^th. You can learn more about The Origins Gallery including updates referring to their plans for the future and other news by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg.