The excitement has begun to build for the best, and most unique, holiday shopping in western North Carolina, the Upstairs Artspace 100×100 exhibit and sale. A highly anticipated part of the holiday season each year, this year’s sale of $100 works by 100 of the area’s best-known artists opens with a reception and sale, 5–7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. 

Adding to the fun and competition to capture your favorite, the works are unsigned on the front, making them anonymous until the closing reception, Saturday, Dec. 17, when the work can be picked up and turned over by the buyer for the Big Reveal.  Then it may be taken home and wrapped as a gift for a special recipient, or hung for the perfect addition to your holiday decor.

“Because of the anonymity, some artists have taken the opportunity to expand their repertoire, creating work in a style or medium other than that for which they are known,” said Executive Director Michele Deudne. “The artists have fun, there is a huge variety of art, and those who participate as buyers have fabulous choices, and a little bit of mystery in the bargain. Other than Art Trek, it is our biggest event of the year, and largest fundraiser, so all of this fun also helps to keep the doors to the Upstairs open. We are most grateful to the artists for their generous contributions to this fun and important event for the gallery.”

As in the past two years, there will be a special 100x$25 show as well, with the works of students from Tryon and Landrum elementary schools and Polk County Middle School. Prices for these works are $25. 

Add to all of this is the 2016 CooperRiis healing community 2016 exhibition, Creating Recovery. Located within the CooperRiis grounds is the Art Barn/Woodshop, a place that supplies shared space, tools and materials for painting and drawing, pottery making, printmaking, dying, textiles, woodworking, photography, sculpture, and music. 

The focus is on exploration of the arts and individual empowerment, and residents, staff, and volunteers are invited to delve into the various mediums to express themselves. Some of this work will be represented in Creating Recovery, which will be located in a portion of the downstairs gallery during the 100×100 exhibition and sale.

100×100 is not quite as wild as the bridal sale at Filene’s Basement, or the running of the bulls at Pamplona. But there is lots of fun to be had finding just the right piece or pieces, getting them on your list, and placing yourself at the exact right spot when the secret location of the pop-up sales desk is revealed. 

On your mark, get set…mark your calendars for 100×100, Saturday, Dec. 10, 5–7:30 p.m., Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade Street, Tryon.

– article submitted by Clare O’Sheel