HOLIDAY GIFTS There's a fine art to giving art as a present

By JUDY TARJANYI
SCRIPPS HOWARD
It was Christmas, and Paula Brown was expecting to find a certain painting from her husband, Peter, under the tree. But when she opened her package, it contained a print by another artist instead.
Not one to stifle her preferences, the co-owner of a shop and gallery, went to the gallery where the print had been purchased and said, "I really wanted an Emilio Sanchez, and my husband bought a David Hockney. What do you think?"
"Paula," the owner said, "I can only tell you this is a beautiful print."
She listened. "I kept it, and I was smart."
In the interest of holiday cheer, when bestowing or receiving art in this season of giving, it's not a bad idea to do as Paula did: Think outside the gift box.
What it means
For givers, that means exercising the freedom -- and being willing to take the risk -- to choose the unexpected, particularly when it drips with exquisite taste. Even if Cousin Louise didn't ask for a drop-dead scarf, she just might wear it if given a little inspiration in the form of a hand-woven or hand-painted piece.
For recipients, it means trusting the giver's judgment and being open to adding a bit of color or sparkle to your home or wardrobe. So you really don't collect glass and your sister-in-law has presented you with a Shawn Messenger vase that she thought would look great in your house. Lucky you. Smile and say thank you, and consider learning more about the artist and her work.
Not that unwanted art gifts can't be returned, of course. Sometimes they can. But best to ask before buying.
If you are truly uncertain whether someone will like a gift of art, there are some safe bets.
Marcia Weiss, manager of the Toledo Museum of Art's Collector's Corner, said glass is probably one of the more prudent choices if you don't know someone's personal taste, particularly if the piece is clear and in a classic shape. Glass paperweights also make suitable gifts.
Jewelry works for women, but when selecting it, Weiss recommends choosing a streamlined shape without a lot of impact. "You can go for something really creative and different, but then you're taking a risk the more exotic you get. There are always pieces you can give very safely."
She thinks scarves make great gifts, too. "I don't know a woman who doesn't like a nice scarf."
Lita Campbell, co-owner of the Kismet Gallery, also in Toledo, agrees that glass, especially a beautiful glass ornament, is an acceptable gift choice for most anyone. But she also likes small pottery bowls or cups that can be used every day with other dishes. "That's a unique thing about pottery. You can have a bunch of different types and enjoy them and they all seem to fit together."
If you know recipient well
Paintings and prints, on the other hand, are usually better given to someone you know fairly well.
If you want to buy an art gift, but need some direction, gallery staff usually can help assess a person's taste based on such helpful bits of information as style of dress, interests, activities, color preferences and the kinds of things the individual keeps at home.
There is nothing wrong with seeking to elevate the taste of the person for whom you are buying, gallery operators say, especially where young adults are concerned.
"I have two young married sons and I kind of feel like it's my mission to raise [their taste]," Weiss said. "It's not always practical, but I try to give them at least one thing at Christmas that is a little bit of a 'wow' thing, that is unique and reminds them of the arts and finer things."
When you do buy art as a gift, be prepared to spend a little more for handmade quality and uniqueness.
Ultimately, however, the decision to buy art for someone may spell the difference between a really great gift and a so-so one.
"When you get something that's an original piece, be that pottery, glass or handmade jewelry, when it's right, it's so right that it's better than anything else," said Weiss. "It's the idea that I have something no one else has. The uniqueness of it gives you the feeling of wonderment: that somebody made something and there's not a single other one in world and it's yours. ... Yes, it's a risk, but when it's right it's an amazing gift, a gift that really stands out."