Celebrating Artist Sunday in Padanaram
Animal statues by Ronnie Gould with more art in the background. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Caroline Ballou stocks her jewelry.
A variety of the artwork at Bridge Street Gallery. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Linda Mae Kristofik stocking some of her jewelry in a case. 
Metal ornaments available in the gallery.
Animal statues by Ronnie Gould with more art in the background. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Caroline Ballou stocks her jewelry.
A variety of the artwork at Bridge Street Gallery. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Linda Mae Kristofik stocking some of her jewelry in a case.
Metal ornaments available in the gallery.
The Bridge Street Gallery is trying to bridge any gap between artists and the public at their Artists Sunday open house on Sunday, Nov. 20.
Bridge Street Gallery is a cooperative in Padanaram Village that has eight full time members and 28 cosigners, people who sell in the gallery, but do not work there. Almost all of the members are hyperlocal, with all members being from New England.
Artists Sunday is a nationwide movement, happening every year the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It’s a response to Black Friday, which has a focus on mass production and consumerism according to members of the gallery.
“We need to convince people to buy something handmade, buy something truly personal, and support a small business,” said Genevieve Hunt from Dartmouth, a member of the gallery.
“Small businesses is really the lifeblood of a lot of small towns, small cities across the country,” she said.
There were a variety of price ranges and goods in the store, including holiday cards and seasonal gifts such as glass candy canes, wooden gnomes, stockings and ornaments. They have many types of handmade jewelry and unique goods like animal sculptures, original waterpaintings, ties, wooden toys and more.
“It’s important to recognize our neighbors and shop locally,” said Sarah Morse from Dartmouth, a member of the gallery, “Maybe buy one thing rather than 10 and when you do that, you buy something that has meaning and supports a craft and the arts.”
Hunt emphasized the importance of art in the world. She attended graduate school for sustainability, and remembers studying biofilia, the idea that being out in nature is good for people’s health. She stated that just as humans need to connect with nature and “touch grass,” they need to interact with and “touch art.”
“I think [art] helps you relax a little bit,” she said, “You have a little moment of joy or just a moment to feel good. I think that art can also tell a story or take you on a journey and just kind of take you out of your everyday existence."
