Charlottesville, VA . . .The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative is pleased to announce GIFT FOREST, a seasonal pop-up holiday shop, this year on the Downtown Mall at 301 E Main St. The market will debut Friday, November 30th and will be open every day through 12/24. The Gift Forest is an annual holiday pop-up market featuring handmade gifts, vintage, and vinyl records.

It is an alternative to big box stores and way to find quality gifts while supporting local artists, makers, and collectors. Gift Forest organizer Sarah Carr explains, “When you shop at Gift Forest, you invest in a working artist that might be your neighbor. You also provide the support an artist needs to keep pushing forward through the process.”

The Gift Forest was conceptualized as a means of supporting our local creative community while offering ethically-minded shoppers an alternative to mass produced goods and big box stores. Now in it’s 9th season, the pop-up returns to the Downtown Mall to provide increased exposure to a wider selection of artists and crafters than ever before.

ABOUT THE BRIDGE PAI: The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative is a cultural hub for Charlottesville offering an inclusive space for creative thinking and artistic pursuits while providing resources and methodology for meaningful arts engagement throughout the community. Our mission is to bridge diverse communities through the arts. More information can be found at our website – thebridgepai.org or by following us on Facebook.