Anda Weyherof the Branford Garden Club helps putting up a holiday display in the front window at the BACA Gallery before the pop-up show.
Collages adorn holiday cards by collage artist Patty Towle at BACA. She is a featured artist at this weekend’s Holiday Craft Market.
Weaver Robert Aiudi will be featured at the Market. Above, his work hands in the gallery now.
One artist said the BACA gallery in Branford was “almost like being in a New York gallery.” The Winter Show in the BACA gallery.
Part of the Winter Show at BACA which will be on view during the Holiday Craft Market Saturday. Below,
Pam Morgan of Guilford, a well-known watercolorist and nationally recognized soft goods artist, will feature her vibrant designs from her paintings on scarves and T-shirts, kimonos and pillows. Above, her paintings on view in the gallery.
Branford Garden Club members work to gussy up the window at the BACA Gallery on Main Street in Branford.
Gallery manager Santha Martin looks over the show in the gallery a week before the pop-up market. It’s almost hard to picture the sleek space filled with craft tables.
Gallery manager Santha Martin looks over the show in the gallery a week before the pop-up market. It’s almost hard to picture the sleek space filled with craft tables.
BRANFORD — Visitors to the BACA Holiday Crafts Market Saturday may purchase a small original artwork for as little as $3 – a holiday card made of original collages, according to gallery manager Santha Martin.
The expansive and airy BACA art gallery at 1004 Main St., a nonprofit, promises to be transformed into a sea of holiday crafts filling tables or hung from displays at the pop-up market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 11.
A week before the event, members of the Branford Garden Club were inside gussying up a window.
At the show, featured crafts will include handwoven and dyed textiles made by a method, generations old; handmade jewelry, artist-created holiday wreaths, ornaments and cards; and decorative objects made of ceramic and wood
Collage artist Patty Towle, based in Branford and New York, fashions cut and torn-paper collages from vintage books, magazines, catalogs and handmade paper, noted Martin.
“One of her special offerings at the BACA gallery are holiday cards with the original collages on the front,” Martin said “Not prints — the actual collages. Each one is unique, and you can own a real piece of art for $3.”
Towle is also offering collages of historic Branford landmarks and of a subject close to her heart – birds and nature. The proceeds from those pieces, Martin said, are donated to bird conservation.
Another unique artisan is Robert Aiudi, who has been a weaver since he was 10, continuing an old family tradition.
“His great grandfather was a silk weaver from the Italian province of Le Marche, close to Venice,” Martin said. “Hearing stories from family members he first learned to spin fibers such as silk, wool and cotton.”
Aiudi is also an avid furniture builder and built his first large loom at age 12 and set out to produce larger projects such as cloth, rugs and clothing articles, she said.
From living in New York for nearly two decades, where he worked with professors from Fashion Institute of Technology. to selling scarves to a several flea and craft markets in the city, he moved to Branford, according to Martin.
From his Branford studio, he produces traditional New England rag rugs, Colonial “overshot” table runners, shawls and scarves.
Martin said that he also has worked on several art projects building tapestry and wall coverings for many clients over the years. He teaches spinning, weaving, dying and design as well to private students.
Another local artist, Pam Morgan of Guilford, a well-known watercolorist and nationally recognized soft goods artist, will feature her vibrant designs from her paintings on scarves and T-shirts, kimonos and pillows.
“She’s got scarves with her wonderful watercolors. She’s actually going to have two tables,” Martin said.
Interesting items at the show also include shadow boxes, handmade wooden kitchen utensils that are also hand-stained, and aprons. There will also be knitted hats, scarves and shawls and birch ornaments.
The Winter Show will also be up on the gallery’s walls.
The gallery is located in the storefront that was home to Denali.
BACA, short for Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance, is a local non-profit organization with a mission to provide opportunities for local musicians, writers, performers and artists to present their work to the public.
The group raises funds through commissions from the sale of members’ work to support an arts enrichment program for Branford Public Schools students. The program includes scholarships for students planning to pursue a career in the arts, as well as grants for teachers to bring students to the gallery and other shows.
For more information visit on Facebook, BACACT or their website, https://branfordarts.org/.

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