Christmas shopping at the Butler

YOUNGSTOWN -- A Christmas tree rising 22 feet in the middle of Beecher Court welcomed thousands of shoppers to search for those one-of-a-kind items on the first day of the 34th annual Christmas craft and fine art show at the Butler Institute of American Art.
The works of 100 artists, crafters and artisans are featured in this year's "An American Holiday at the Butler," said Dr. Lou Zona, executive director of the institute, which uses the proceeds from the show for its children's programs. "It's kind of an official kickoff of the holiday season and it gets everybody in the spirit."
What's featured
The show features furniture, ceramics, pottery, sculpture, decorative arts, glass, metal and jewelry. "It's one of the oldest craft shows of this quality in the country and certainly in this area," Zona said.
Artisan Deborah Dashko of Poland is selling handcrafted jewelry using beads, Swarovsky crystals and gemstones.
"I try to make a piece of jewelry that is so unique and different, that some day it will be handed down to a daughter from her mother -- it will be an heirloom," she said.
Many of the artists at the Butler didn't start out to be artists and don't do their art full time.
W. Michael Winston of Twinsburg has been a physical education teacher and a football and baseball coach in Warrensville Heights near Cleveland for 31 years.
His art is done with what is called Prisma color markers. Winston said that they create "a surreal look about them; they are floral dreamscapes," he said. "Art is not a way of giving a message -- it's a way of conveying beauty."
Winston also uses a process called "dura clear" to give his original paintings a three-dimensional look. Although he started painting in 2000, and has had one of his works on the November cover of Sunshine Artist, a national premier show and festival magazine.
And if you had told Debbie Pagani of Salem a few years ago that she would be selling cigar box purses at the Butler this weekend she might have been very surprised. A hairdresser for 30 years, she started her craft only a year ago.
Pagani noted that her cigar box creations can be used for purses or even displayed as a decorative accessory.
"I have collected these wooden boxes from cigar stores all over the United States and I select only those of the best quality and the most unique designs," she stressed.
She said each box is given its own personality, enhanced only by the lining, a latch and handle. Each box is given three coats of varnish to ensure the long life of the box.
Wish lists
The gift shop at the Butler also fills many Christmas wish lists.
Gayle George, manager, said the gift shop offers many distinctive items.
"It carries museum quality gifts that won't be found anywhere else in the area, including jewelry, Christmas ornaments and decorative items, glass paperweights and Butler mementos such as stationery, postcards and magnets," she said.
"An American Holiday at the Butler" continues today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, and children under 12 are admitted free.