The CBC Arts gift guide for art lovers: 2016 edition
Leah Collins | CBC Arts | Posted: December 12, 2016 9:31 PM | Last Updated: December 12, 2016
Whether you're hunting for stocking stuffers or that once-in-a-lifetime splurge, add these items to your list
Artists, illustrators, designers, musicians, authors: we love to tell their stories, but we also just love their stuff — so if you've got an art lover in your life, let us help you play Santa Claus.
Everything here is inspired by something we've covered at CBC Arts, so whether you're hunting for stocking stuffers or that once-in-a-lifetime splurge, this is the gift guide for the creative types on your shopping list.
Eyeroll hoodie, Ambivalently Yours
Society 6, $42 (US)
No way we'd roll our eyes at this gift. Anonymous Montreal artist Ambivalently Yours is known for her signature hoodie, and you can buy one of your own at her Society6 shop. There are dozens of designs to choose from, each pulled from her popular illustration project.
Prefer the idea of wearing your ambivalent emotions on your sleeve? She makes pins and embroidered patches, too (Etsy, $7-12).
"Get Me Out!" T-Shirt, Hatecopy
Hatecopy.com, $45
Available in a unisex cut, so that everyone can enjoy it — famous fans like Mindy Kaling included.
Bad Beti scarf, Hatecopy and Babbu the Painter
Nuvango, $59
Know someone who loves Hatecopy so much they'd wear her gear head to toe? The Toronto illustrator just released a new line of "Bad Beti" apparel through local gallery Nuvango, who's printed her pop art on dresses, leggings, bomber jackets and even undies. This patterned scarf, co-designed with frequent collaborator Babbu the Painter, is a great gift-able option.
Custom letterman jacket, Sun Sun
Sun Sun, (Contact for prices)
We've featured animation by Francesca Nocera on Exhibitionists, but the Toronto artist's a true multi-hyphenate. In addition to painting, DJ-ing and music production, she creates custom street fashion through her own label, Sun Sun. Our own Amanda Parris has been seen in this one-of-a-kind "Never Give Up" letterman jacket. Get something made-to-order through her website.
Polaris Music Prize limited edition screen print
Kid Icarus, $40
Shopping for a Kaytranada fan — or someone who's still ranting that Grimes and Carly Rae Jepsen were robbed? Every year, the Polaris Music Prize makes limited edition posters for the nominees, each designed by a different artist. Get them while you can via the Kid Icarus online shop.
Ai Weiwei doll
A portable (and adorable) reminder that you don't have to be a world-famous artist to stand up for what matters. That sentiment alone just might be worth the splurge on international shipping.
Play-Doh Rainbow Starter Pack
Various retailers, approx. $7.99
It's not just for toddlers. Inspire the next Eleanor Macnair.
In/Future mobile, Miloshka
Etsy, $100
An exquisitely laser-cut keepsake from In/Future, one of CBC Arts' favourite festivals of 2016. These mobiles by Toronto designer Kira Varvanina were available through the fest's Ontario Place gift shop, and you can still get them made-to-order through her Etsy.
Sweet Deal Variety Pack, Lucy Sparrow
Station 16 Gallery, $250
Stocking stuffer treats that are too unique to eat.
Cookie portrait
Eat My Sweet Face, $35 and up
In our opinion, you can never have too many Christmas cookies. Send Toronto's Rebecca Levitan a photo and she'll bake you a portrait.
Picture books
Storytime picks featuring authors, and illustrators, profiled on CBC Arts: The Boy and the Bindi (Vivek Shraya and Rajni Perera), The Darkest Dark (Chris Hadfield, Terry and Eric Fan), Missing Nimama (Melanie Florence, Francois Thisdale).
Secret Path Deluxe Boxed Set
Indigo, $49.87
Including a vinyl copy of the Gord Downie album and its companion graphic novel by Jeff Lemire, proceeds from this box set go to the Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation.
Cat Army phone case, Jeannie Phan
Casetify, $35 (US) and up
Who's your favourite cat person? Ours is definitely Jeannie Phan. The Toronto illustrator's lazy-day GIFs were featured on Exhibitionists this year.
Needle felt kit
Etsy, various
How do you shop for a DIY fan? Buy them craft supplies! Ever since Lesley Anne Green showed us how to make this foxy friend, we've been in love with needle felting, and there are plenty of Canadian vendors on Etsy who have packaged all the necessary materials (and know-how) to whip up a mega-cute menagerie. Nova Scotia's Lunenberg Makery offers boxed kits (Piping Plover Bird craft kit, $25), as does Uhandcraft in Vancouver (Squirrel, $11.99).
Alex Garant watch
Modify, $50 (US)
Most watches only have one face. Thanks to the vision of Toronto painter Alex Garant, this one has four...we think. We're too dizzy to count.
Custom jewellery, Ginette Lapalme
You don't have to be a '90s kid to love the rainbow-glitter world of Ginette Lapalme. We featured the Toronto artist's Arthur and Rugrats-inspired animation on a past episode of Exhibitionists, and her handmade jewellery is just as much of a throwback. This one-of-a-kind resin bauble can be made into a brooch, magnet or ring.
Peaches Grillz
Art Metropole, $90
Available in gold, silver or gunmetal — and cast from the artist's actual teeth. We're a little disappointed she didn't wear her own grillz during her Exhibitionists appearance, TBH.
Maud Lewis cards
Just like the Christmas cards she hand-painted for years, but worth significantly less at auction.
Temporary tattoos, Nomi Chi
Tattoo You, $7 and up (US)
Wear your favourite Canadian artist, then wash them off and wear another. Several companies offer temporary tattoos by working illustrators, but this site features one of our faves, Vancouver's Nomi Chi. Pick individual designs or a pack of four ($15).
GIF print
Gifpop, $12 and up (US)
We're always sending GIFs, but these are special. Gifpop can turn any looped animation into a lenticular print. Upload your own, or choose from their artist series. (One of our past Exhibitionists in Residence, Pi-Slices, is already a fan.)
Carbonic Walrus
The Art of Dr. Seuss, $2,995 (US)
For the person with everything — even pantookas, dafflers and wuzzles.