by Andrew Miller
Thisweek Newspapers

Savage Art Studios in downtown Savage is getting into the holiday spirit with two open houses next week.

The Holiday Open Houses -- on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- are a fundraiser for the fledging studio in the Hamilton Building on West 123rd Street.

Featured will be original prints, pottery, stoneware and possibly jewelry from artists in Scott and Dakota counties.

Of special interest to holiday shoppers will be a wide range of Christmas and winter-themed watercolor and oil paintings priced at $25, Savage Art Studios Director Jo Storey said.

The seven founding artists of Savage Art Studios will be on hand to display their art and discuss commission work.

This summer Savage Art Studios signed a three-year lease with the city of Savage; all seven founding artists formerly leased studio space in the Minnesota River School of Fine Arts in Burnsville.

The seven artists use the units they lease in the Hamilton Building as studio space, as well as classroom space. Savage Art Studios is in the process of expanding its fine art classes and workshops to include more youth, teen and adult classes, and winter classes get underway Jan. 8.

Students may register online at www.SavageArtStudios.com or call (952) 895-0375 for more information.

Andrew Miller is at savage.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.