Media Contact: Elizabeth Burke-Dain 312.369.8695
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2009
Images are available.
SHOPCOLUMBIA’S HOLIDAY MARKET
SEASONED ALUMNI ARTISTS TO SELL
AMAZING ONE-OF-A-KIND WARES
December 1 – 3, 2009
Betsy Siber, cancelled postage stamp earrings and other assorted merchandise
While ShopColumbia, Columbia College’s student art store, is always brimming with beautiful artists’ wares made by current Columbia students, the shop is announcing a special Holiday Market of alumni works from December 1 – 3. ShopColumbia will expand by over 1,500 square feet to feature the fine art works of alumni artists returning to campus to celebrate ShopColumbia.
The ShopColumbia Alumni Holiday Market is a great opportunity to purchase unique, holiday gifts made by seasoned artists who have graduated from Columbia College: Rebecca Rakstad of No Coast Collective, Betsy Siber of Foxglove Accessories, hand-sewn bags made from recycled upholstery textiles by Jennifer Edwards, letterpress notecards and stationery by Karol Shewmaker and much, much more. After December 3, many of these items will be sold in ShopColumbia’s 623 S. Wabash store, but don’t wait, these hard-to-find items will disappear quickly.
ShopColumbia opened its doors last year as an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience selling their work. Exceeding everyone’s expectations, $50,000 from sales has been distributed among 250 students who have sold their work since last year. Twenty-five percent of sales is reinvested towards general operating expenses, including paying student staff, marketing, display and technology.
“We are very proud of the artistry and consistent high quality of the merchandise,” says Neysa Page-Lieberman, Director of Exhibition and Performances Spaces. “With such a positive public response, the students now see ShopColumbia as a viable source of income.”
“ShopColumbia has carried my work since opening their doors,” says alumnus Brandon Graham. “Selling my work has been an important part of my process. Plus, a steady income stream helps me to buy supplies.”
WHAT: ShopColumbia’s Alumni Holiday Market Sale
WHERE: Quincy Wong Center for Artistic Expression
623 S. Wabash Avenue, 1st floor
WHEN: December 1 – 3, 2009
MARKET
HOURS: December 1 – 2, 11am – 7pm and December 3, 10am – 3pm
REGULAR
STORE
HOURS: Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri, 11am – 5pm, Thurs 11am – 7pm. Closed Sat & Sun
MORE
INFO: shop@colum.edu, 312.369.8616, www.colum.edu/shopcolumbia
Columbia College Chicago is an urban institution that provides innovative degree programs in the visual, performing, media and communication arts to nearly 12,500 students in over 120 undergraduate and graduate programs. A liberal arts college with a “hands-on minds-on” approach to arts and media education, Columbia College Chicago’s programs include film & video, art & design, arts management, television, radio, music, interactive multimedia – all within a liberal arts context. Under the current leadership of President Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D., Columbia is dedicated to opportunity and excellence in higher education. For further information visit www.colum.edu.