Studio 53 Fine Art's annual holiday event, Gifts for Giving, is a cultural happening and opportunity to purchase unique gifts for family and friends on your Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas or Kwanzaa lists.

This year's event will be held Thursday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 23, just before, during and after Boothbay Harbor's Early Bird Sale & Pajama Party.

A reception, with appetizers and adult beverages, will be held on Friday, Nov. 21 from 5-8 p.m.

“Gifts for Giving promotes shopping in town and supporting the local arts community,” artist and event coordinator Leslie Volpe said.

Outstanding gift ideas created by local artists, artisans and authors chosen for the event by Volpe and members of the Studio 53 collective, will be offered in a festive atmosphere. Some of the artists and artisans will share their craft through live demonstrations.

Authors Lea Wait and Fred Kaplan have signed on for the event and will have copies of their latest books ready for autographing. Wait will be at Studio 53 during the reception, Saturday, Nov. 22 from 7-11 a.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 from 1-2 p.m. She will also have copies of “Shadows on a Maine Christmas” available. Kaplan will at the gallery on Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m., Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 1-3 p.m. and on Sunday from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. As of Nov. 12, authors Peter Felsenthal and Betsy Wing had signed on - dates and times for their book signing coming soon!

Artisans and craftspeople participating in the holiday shopping showcase are: Cilla Alden, weavings, monoprints; Dick Alden, stone flower sculptures; Elise Andersen, ceramics, silk scarves, cards/prints; Gerta Andersen,  Jill Butke, woven clothing, scarves; Donna Denniston, sculpture; Lizzy Derektor, Spiritwear silk clothing; Jesse DeShazo, recycled float rope dog toys/leashes, wooden sculpture; Bob Devine, author and photographer; Barbie Eldred, pottery, monoprints; Helen Farnham, felted/nuno felted items, cards, jewelry; Ann Hedgcock, pottery; Kathleen Jones, jewelry, pillows; Don Josephson, paintings, painted wood sculptures; Diana Kerr, glass, painted furniture, pillows;

Barbara Lally, silk scarves, painted eggs, balsam bags; Lou Landry, turned wooden bowls; Dick Macdonald, stained glass; Bob McKay, paintings; Dana Moses, metal sculpture and signs; Joe Norton, granite-topped tables; Sanny Norton, jewelry, painted furniture; Susan Page, photography, monotype prints, massage gift certificates; Paula Ragsdale, collage, paintings, cards; Alijah Fitt, bottle cap art;

Aaron Robinson, harpsichord CDs; June and Bob Rose, books, knitted hats; Terry Seaman, paintings and drawings; Heidi Seidelhuber, paintings and sculpture; Lynne Seitzer, paintings; John Seitzer, paintings; Susie Stephenson, hooked rugs; Leslie Volpe, miniature quilts, punch needle embroidery; Rhoda Weyr, jewelry and George & Naomi Whitten, marbleized paper items.

Studio 53's Artists' Collective (Seidelhuber, Seaman, the Aldens, Ragsdale, the Seitzers, McKay and Denniston) will also have works displayed on the third floor. This is also where the harpsichord music will be coming from, played by Aaron Robinson, during the Friday reception, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

Schedule for Gifts for Giving 2014: Thursday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. with music, food and beverages; Saturday, Nov. 22 (Early Bird), 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Off street parking is available in back of the gallery near the sculpture garden. For more information, call 207-633-2755 or visit www.studio53fineart.com.