Try art shows, museum gift shops for great gifts

Highlights: Smart shoppers already know that great gifts can be found at studios and art centers. Check out our list of holiday sales and go early for the best selection. One of my favorites is the annual Mingei Pottery show of Japanese-inspired ceramics at Glen Richards. And don't forget — museum gift shops are always well-stocked with unexpected treasures, many quite inexpensive. (Secret: The shop at Wing Luke Asian Museum in the Chinatown International District is fantastic!)

Sheila Farr, Seattle Times art critic

Northwest Craft Center Holiday Show

Dec. 4 A sale of works in a variety of media by Northwest artists. 6 p.m. Northwest Craft Center (Seattle Center), 305 Harrison St., Seattle, free (206-728-1555 or www.seattlecenter.com).

Annual Holiday Sale

Dec. 5-7 A sale of art by Paul Lewing, Laurie Mortinson Lefebvre and Gay Jensen. 4 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. Dec. 6-7. 4315 Burke Ave. N., Seattle, free (206-547-6591).

North End Arts Tour

Dec. 5-7 A self-guided tour of 28 artists' homes and studios. For a full map and list of participating venues, visit www.exclusivethreads.com/neat. 4 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. Dec. 6-7. Artisans' Gallery, 7525 41st Ave. N.E., Seattle, free (206-526-9973).

Seattle Sampling

Dec. 5-7 A self-guided tour of 12 studios and homes throughout Seattle featuring works by 46 artists. 4 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. Dec. 6-7. Salty Dog Studios, 4602 14th Ave. N.W., Seattle, free (206-789-3379).

Pratt Art Sale Opening Night Celebration

Dec. 5 An opening celebration with a sale of work by more than 100 local artists. 6 p.m. Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 S. Main St., Seattle, $20 (206-328-2200 or www.pratt.org).

Seward Park Clay Studio Holiday Sale

Dec. 5 6:30 p.m. Seward Park Clay Studio, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle, free (206-722-6342 or www.sewardparkart.org).

Pratt Fine Art Center's Holiday Art Sale

Dec. 6-7, 11-14 A sale of art work by more than 100 local artists. 10 a.m. Dec. 6-7, 11-14. Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 S. Main St., Seattle, free (206-328-2200 or www.pratt.org).

Kirkland Arts Center's Holiday Arts Sale

Dec. 6-21 A sale of works by more than 120 local artists. 10:30 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 11 a.m. Sundays, Dec. 6-21. Kirkland Arts Center, 620 Market St., Kirkland, free (425-822-7161 or www.kirklandartscenter.org).

Art Under $100 Sale

Dec. 6 South Park Arts hosts its annual sale with live music, wine and appetizers. 4 p.m. South Park Neighborhood Center, 8201 10th Ave. S., Seattle, free (206-763-6201 or www.southparkarts.org).

Vashon Island Art Studio Tour

Dec. 6-7, 13-14 A self-guided tour of local artists' studios located throughout Vashon Island. 10 a.m. Downtown Vashon, Vashon Island, free (206-463-6217 or www.vashonchamber.com).

Greenwood-Phinney Neighborhood Art Walk

Dec. 12 6 p.m. Phinney Avenue North and Greenwood Avenue North between North 60th and 87th streets, Seattle, free (www.greenwood-phinney.com).

Art For All

Dec. 13 A holiday-themed event with hands-on art activities. 10:30 a.m. Kirkland Arts Center Gallery, 620 Market St., Kirkland, free (425-822-7161 or www.kirklandartscenter.org).

BallardWorks Holiday Members Show

Dec. 13 A sale of artwork by 18 members of BallardWorks. 6 p.m. BallardWorks, 2856 N.W. Market St., Seattle, free (206-784-9987 or www.ballardworks.org).

Snowbound

Dec. 14 A community festival with artists' demonstrations, hands-on activities, music. Noon. Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, free (253-272-4258 or www.tacomaartmuseum.org).

"Illuminated Traditions"

Dec. 20 An informal program on the traditional uses of light in diverse cultural holiday celebrations with hands-on art activities and music. 10 a.m. Museum of Glass, 1801 E. Dock St., Tacoma; $4-$10 (866-468-7386 or www.museumofglass.org).

10th Annual Mingei Pottery Invitational

ENDS Dec. 20 Show and sale of Japanese-inspired ceramics by Northwest potters. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, through Dec. 20, Glenn Richards Asian Furnishings and Antiques, 964 Denny Way, Seattle, free (206-287-1877 or www.glennrichards.com).

The Simple Cup Show 2008

ENDS Dec. 30 11. a.m.-6. p.m. Mondays through Saturdays through Dec. 30, Kobo (at Higo), 602 S. Jackson St., Seattle, free (206-381-3000 or www.koboseattle.com).

Compiled by Jeff Albertson.