Looking for the perfect AGH Shop gift, but overwhelmed by our selection? Check out these recommendations from our very own AGH Staff! From holiday specific items, to homeware, jewelry and books, you’re guaranteed to find a gift for that special someone. Shop online or in-store from Thursday to Sunday.
Arlene (she/her): Mouse Ornament
Make your festive decor merrier with this enchanting Mouse in Bed Ornament. Crafted out of wool felt and styro, this playful ornament features a mouse snuggly tucked into their plaid comforter-covered bed, complete with knit cap and holiday stocking, for dreamy complement to any Christmas tree. Other holiday ornaments also available.
Christi (she/her): Nassau Sparkle Iridized Gold Tumbler
A holographic, opalescent sheen covers small coloured glass pieces on this tumbler, giving a luscious mermaid scale effect.
Hand made and shaped vessels from Sirius Glassworks based in Lake Erie, ON. These tumblers vary wildly and each one is a pleasure to gaze at. The decoration can range the full spectrum of opaque and transparent colours, earth tones, jewel tones, primary colour blocks, sparkly bits and mood ring areas, dots, lines and squiggles. Made by rolling random handfuls of re-purposed and recycled colourful bits onto molten glass, that is fused and formed into a cup and then iridized.
Andrea (she/her): COWBOY by Nora Burnett Abrams, Miranda Lash, Rafa Esparza, Jongwoo Jeremy Kim, Myeshia Babers, R. Alan Brooks
The Cowboy, Reconsidered: the enduring myth of the cowboy is a richer, more diverse story than most understand. In this survey, some of the most important artists working today take up the cowboy through the lens of queer, Black, Asian, and Latinx perspectives.
Director and co-curator Nora Burnett Abrams considers the cowboy through historical perspectives, breaking down the myth and mystique. In an extended interview, co-curator Miranda Lash talks with queer Latinx artist Rafa Esparza who considers the vaquero (the Spanish term for cowboy) and the influence of norteño culture in his work. Jongwoo Jeremy Kim provides an in-depth analysis of artist Kenneth Tam’s practice and deeper discussion of Asian American masculinity, sexuality, and how they are represented. Myeshia Babers shares the history of the Black rodeo cowboy, and how this figure performs and functions today, and artist R. Alan Brooks conjures the history of Dearfield, Colorado, one of the earliest Black homesteading communities in the state, through a dream-like short graphic novel.
Laura (she/her): Plantable Gift Tags
One pre-packaged Plantable Tag Bundle including 12 tags, 120″ of recycled cotton string, reusable cotton bag, and exterior recyclable packaging with details of contents, OR- twelve plantable tags measuring 2″ x 3.5″ with 120″ of recycled cotton string, each tag includes planting instructions and a “To:/From:” section on the back.
Michelle (she/her): Olean Bracelet in Neon
Silver pewter and gold-plated charms mixed with freshwater pearls, quartz, onyx and delicate colored glass beads give the bracelet a beautiful, authentic style that adds the finishing touch to your everyday looks.
Anne-Marie Chagnon bracelets not only complement your outfits, but also make a difference.
Each piece is unique and handcrafted in Montreal with superior quality materials.
Callie (she/her): Andy Warhol Selfies Puzzle
Andy Warhol Selfies 1000 Piece Puzzle features a collage of the artist’s famous self-portrait Polaroid photographs. Galison puzzles are packaged in matte-finish sturdy boxes, perfect for gifting, reuse, and storage. An insert of the full puzzle image is included in the box.
Megan (she/her): PURSUITS Echo Ear Jackets in Satin Gold
The hollow organic rings of these earrings are repeated twice, designed to emphasize each other and create an elegant contrasting look. Like all of PURSUITS’ ear jackets, this pair was designed with versatility in mind. These earrings can be worn with both pieces: together as the full ear jacket, or with the back piece removed: as a simple pair of studs.
Vanassa Chan, founder & designer of PURSUITS, draws her inspiration from design, architecture, and fashion. She earned her bachelor’s degree in interior design in the United Kingdom and worked for years as a designer in Canada before launching PURSUITS in 2014.
Kate (she/her): Knit Your Own Planter Cover
Everything you need to knit your own planter cover! Imagine transforming your ordinary plant pots into cozy, textured masterpieces that not only protect your plants but also add a stylish flair to your home or office. Our kit caters to various skill levels, ensuring that everyone can experience the joy of creating something beautiful with their own two hands.
This package includes three colours of yarn, a needle, and the templates used. Design by Hector Serrano.
Kelsea (she/they): Large Holiday Earrings
A series of handmade beadwork designed and created by Darien Bardy for the Art Gallery of Hamilton 2023 Holiday Collection.
Shé:koh! My name is Darien Bardy (she/her) and I am the artist behind Beads In The Trap. I’m Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Turtle Clan and I’m a part of the Six Nations of the Grand River. Since 2017 I’ve been handcrafting modern beaded jewelry and accessories inspired by traditional Haudenosaunee beadwork and other forms and styles of Indigenous artistry. My style is influenced by my perspective as an urban Indigenous woman on my journey of cultural reclamation and reconnection. My beadwork represents good medicine, modern Indigenous fashion, and cultural revitalization.
Melissa (she/her): The New Oil Painting
Oil painting is an exciting and adventurous medium, but aspiring artists can feel daunted by complex setups and the thought of using harsh chemicals. All of that changes now. The New Oil Painting walks you step-by-step through oil painting fundamentals—which materials you actually need, how to mix paint, how to set up your painting space—and, most revolutionary of all, how to eliminate harmful solvents from your work and replace them with safe, effective substitutes.
This instructional handbook is organized into chapters with helpful diagrams throughout illustrating various techniques and tools. Whether you’re a true beginner or have been painting with oils for years, you will find that this book has everything you need to build a new, thriving, toxin-free practice.
Melissa (she/her): ‘Ceremony’ 8oz Candle
Designer Angela DeMontigny set out to create a scent that reminded her of being in ceremony at her traditional Lodge, sitting in prayer beside a sacred fire. This very special and unique, natural soy candle embodies that experience and transports you to a sacred place while practicing your own daily rituals or meditation practice. Featuring essential oils from four of the most important Indigenous medicinal plants: cedar, sage, sweetgrass and tobacco, this scent is truly holistic and provides benefits for your mind, body and spirit. Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, soothing and protective.
