Micronesia wasn’t always just a clever name. It used to be home to very little people with very refined aesthetics who, through strict dieting and vitamin supplements, eventually became the regular-sized Micronesians of today. Nevertheless, at the time they were avid little art collectors, and I always fretted, before boarding the last outgoing frigate to visit them on their small beaches under their cocktail umbrellas, over what kinds of gifts to bring them. Luckily the galleries of Richmond solved this problem with their small-works art shows, which are both portable and affordable.
Most people just aren’t willing to stake $3,000 on their good taste, so these kinds of shows allow the aesthetically timid to dip a toe into the cool waters of Art. But for me, it means I could load up my well-trod steamer trunks with goods from places like Art6 and Art Works before slapping the soles of my Ferragamos onto the deck of the SS Limpgrunter and setting sail for the land of my tiny, tiny friends.
Item N§ 41
Art6, “ThinkSmall4.”
Specs: 6 E. Broad St.
Availability: Through Dec. 22.
To order: 343-1406.
Item N§ 42
Visual Art Studio, “Artistic Gifts featuring Hang-Ups.”
Specs: Affordable art and ceramics, plus things to hang on the walls.
Availability: Dec. 7, 7-10 p.m. Through December. 208 W. Broad St.
Price: Free.
To order: 644-1368.
Item N§ 43
Brazier Fine Arts, “Small Works.”
Specs: 3401 W. Cary St.
Availability: Through Dec. 29.
To order: 359-2787.
Item N§ 44
Chasen Galleries, “Holiday Showcase.”
Specs: Small pieces by gallery artists, 3554 W. Cary St.
Availability: Through Dec. 31.
To order: 204-1048.
Item N§ 45
Pine Camp Arts and Community Center Spotlight Gallery,
“Artisan Gift Sale.”
Specs: Pottery, jewelry, paintings, works in wood and metal. 4901 Old Brook Road.
Availability: Through Dec. 22.
To order: 646-3674.
Item N§ 46
White Canvas Gallery, “Holiday Show.”
Specs: Small paintings, sculpture, craft and jewelry.
111 S. 14th St.
Availability: Through Jan. 2.
To order: 782-1776.
