Shop local applies to art, too

You’ve heard the “shop local” phrase a lot these days, mostly to support independently-owned stores and restaurants instead of the national chains. But spending your money – which includes the important tax dollars in the city in which you live – also applies to local art galleries, too.

If you are looking for a piece of artwork for your home or business, an art gallery can provide original artwork instead of over-reproduced prints, lovingly created by local artists rather than in some factory. These artists are very likely your neighbors. They may be at the Gallery, doing a demo, helping out, and are fun people to talk to and get to know. You can find out a lot about a piece of art by chatting with the artist for a few minutes, and it makes your purchase even more special.

Need a gift for a birthday, anniversary, wedding or other special occasion? Many galleries carry one-of-a-kind fine craft jewelry as well as small pieces of art that are an affordable and very unique present to give someone. Even with those hard-to-shop-for people, you can never go wrong with a piece of original artwork, and you’ll never have to worry about wondering whether it’s something they “already have.”

Don’t know what to buy? Give a gift certificate for whatever your budget allows. A gift certificate from an art gallery allows the recipient the pleasure of selecting something you know they will like, and yet they’ll think of you every time they see it.

Art on Boston is a proud member of Local First AZ (www.LocalFirstAZ.com), which encourages and promotes mom and pop stores and their advantages. According to Local First AZ, when you shop at a locally owned business, 45 cents of every dollar stays in Arizona – versus only 13 cents of every dollar spent at a national chain.

Independent businesses are the backbone of the Arizona economy. Please help keep all of us in business by shopping local today and every day.