A child enjoying the snow stands out among three small canvas acrylic paintings by artist Alison Charchar currently gracing the walls of Oxide Gallery of Fine Art on Moore Street in downtown Sanford. This holiday gallery will grace the space through Dec. 24.

Holiday Treasures and Gift Boutique: A Final Showcase

For Oxide Gallery of Fine Art in downtown Sanford, this holiday season holds a bittersweet tone. Spanning two months, the Holiday Treasure gallery has showcased winter- and holiday-themed works from local and regional artists. Many of these artists are experiencing their first inclusion in a public gallery.The gallery, opened earlier this year with the support of Lee County Fine Arts Inc., aimed to be a support center for local artists. While the art community's response was highly positive, it struggled to find its footing with the wider community interested in purchasing local art.This month's Holiday Treasures and Gift Boutique, planned long before the decision to shut down, offers a chance for gallery owners Heath Buckmaster, Karen Tatum, and Karen Rushatz to go out on a positive note. During the busiest shopping month of the year, art lovers can enjoy early holiday shopping with a wide collection of unique artwork including glass and ceramic ornaments, woodworking, art note cards, journals, and small paintings.The "small treasures" wall features three 8-by-8-inch canvases from local artists. Jake Brower created a fun polar bear series, and Alison Charchar focused on seasonal themes with children. These artists were also asked to create a fourth panel for a holiday raffle on Dec. 7.The gallery, located at 148 S. Moore St., will be open for a First Saturday public reception from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. Otherwise, it is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays throughout the month. The last day to view the collection will be Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.— by Billy Liggett