Mountain Brook Art Association gets new location for annual holiday show

The Mountain Brook Art Association is bringing its Holiday Show back to Brookwood Village this month, but the association is hoping its new location will draw more art lovers inside.

Show Chairman Janet Sanders said the Holiday Show will be in the former Banana Republic storefront, across the street from restaurants such as Brio and Cocina Superior, from Dec. 2 to Dec. 17. Sanders said she would like to see more foot traffic from people heading to and from those busy restaurants.

There will be about 70 artists participating in what Sanders described as a “fine art gallery setting.” In addition to art in a variety of mediums, the Holiday Show will also feature books written and illustrated by MBAA members and hand painted Christmas ornaments and cards. All participating artists must be MBAA members.

Members exhibiting in the show will include Mountain Brook artists Barclay Gresham, Lynn Briggs, Sara Crook, Sam Chiarella, Janet Sanders, Mike Battle, Wellon Bridgers and Charlotte Kelley. Homewood artists Michael Davis, Cathy Phares, Charlotte Wilson, Cecily Hill Lowe and Andrew Tyson also will have their work on display.

Different artists also will do demonstrations of their work in the store’s window to entertain shoppers and answer questions, which Sanders said is usually popular.

Ten percent of proceeds from the Holiday Show sale benefit Hand in Paw, which provides animal-assisted therapeutic services. This is the third year the MBAA has worked with Hand in Paw, and Sanders said their therapy dogs will make several appearances at the show. The holiday show will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 2-17.