Holiday Shopping Made Easy with 40 Artists Under One Roof

By MONICA CALZOLARI
ONEONTA

The Artisans’ Guild is staffed and run by its 40 members, all local artists. During its Open House on December 8, 2023, 16 of the artists were on hand to greet customers and provided delicious treats to sample.

You are sure to meet at least one local artist every time you shop at The Artisans’ Guild. Meeting 16 artists in one night was a rare treat. Many have international roots and ties to New York City.

As members of this not-for-profit cooperative, the artists staff the store four hours a month. During the holidays, they work eight hours.

The Artisan’s Guild was founded in 1999 to give local artists a place to sell their work.

Bonnie Laugen, who makes jewelry, has been a member since May. She took the place of Deborah Blake, another local jewelry maker, who started the guild with Ellie Stromberg—a potter and current president of the cooperative—24 years ago.