Where to find unique holiday gifts and support local artists, artisans in Centre County

Holiday shoppers searching for a one-of-a-kind gift crafted by a local artisan have many places to look in Centre County. Below are a few venues to check out where you can get a special gift and support local artists at the same time.

Belle Mercantile

Where: 135 S. Spring St., Bellefonte

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Info: Belle Mercantile has become a fast favorite on the Centre County shopping scene. The downtown Bellefonte venue features more than 50 artisans, makers and merchants, providing a range of gift-worthy items. For up-cycled art, check out vendor Reinventure, where every item is made from recycled materials, right in Bellefonte. For locally-created decor, signage and folk art, check out the offerings from Meemaw Made, South Ward Craft Company and SunRoom Studio, all likewise based in Bellefonte. Other local options include handmade, stained glasswork from Our Glass.

“Belle Mercantile has a nostalgic feel with a contemporary twist and we want people to experience the joy of ‘Main Street’ shopping,” said owner Andrea Skirpan. “Bellefonte, with its historic buildings and recent renaissance of new businesses, is the perfect place for a day of holiday shopping.”

Bellefonte Art Museum

Where: 133 N. Allegheny St., Bellefonte

Hours: Friday-Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m.

Info: The Bellefonte Art Museum’s holiday show and sale runs through Dec. 19. The exhibition features more than 40 local artists and hundreds of artworks across several different mediums. Everything is for sale and available at your time of purchase. This year’s show theme is “Art is Elemental” and focuses on line, shape, texture, form, color and value.

Art a La Carte

Where: 107 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte

Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Info: Also in downtown Bellefonte, Art a La Carte features artists that are primarily based within an hour’s drive of the shop, with more than 30 artists represented in total.

“For customers who can’t get to the shop, we also offer concierge shopping with customized suggestions emailed directly for consideration, and curbside pick-up, or packaging and shipping to the customer or directly to their gift (recipient),” said owner Elizabeth Hay.

Pastels, oil paintings, ceramics, glass, carved and painted sculptures, textile art — the artisan gift shop provides a little bit of it all. Beyond artwork, shoppers can also find gift items such as candles and jewelry.

“One of our new artists, Kate Anton, is a beekeeper (with) her own hives, plus (she) manages all of Penn State’s 60-plus hives,” Hay said. “Her hand-poured, 100%, Pennsylvania beeswax candles are created in beautiful molds, many of which are vintage designs. We have a lovely array of her candles that have gotten rave reviews. Kate restocks each week to make sure we have enough candles for all who are looking for them. Priced at $10 to $24, these are the perfect gift.

“We also have the work of Natalie Book, a Penn State student and Bellefonte graduate, who paints scenes on silk scarves. This is her first time ever showing and selling her work, and she’s created lots of excitement with her scarves.”

Smith & Front

Where: 160 Dunlop Street, Bellefonte

Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Info: A newer addition to the Bellefonte shopping scene, Smith & Front has found a home within the newly refurbished Gamble Mill. The shop displays work from local and Pennsylvania artists, but also items — including jewelry and reclaimed wood art — created by the shop’s husband-and-wife duo owners. Beyond artwork, the shop also sales beauty and wellness items, such as candles and bath bombs, and even food and drink gifts, such as preserves and chocolates.

The Gallery Shop

Where: 824 Pike St., Lemont

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-4 p.m.

Info: A long-standing staple for Centre Countians, though, is The Gallery Shop in Lemont, which offers artwork and handcrafted items from approximately 50 different regional, central Pennsylvania artists.

“We have so many things to choose from — ornaments, fiber, wood, glass, jewelry, pottery,” said Jenny Conway, shop manager. “We also have a lot of Christmas ornaments that are all going fast, from different artists.”

Other recent additions to the gallery’s lineup include new jewelry offerings, charcuterie boards, scarves and glasswork.