For a gift combining pizzazz and a lot of thought, there may be no better place to hunt than at La Cumbre Plaza — especially when you can support local artists and crafters on your merry way.

And for the creative contingent from the Goleta Valley, who have displayed wares in the successful weekend Art Walk since June, the hope is to continue the momentum with the plaza’s first ever Twelve Days of Christmas. The outdoor art show started this week and runs through Christmas Eve day, with up to 35 different artists featured.

"Instead of shopping on the Internet, people should come out to the mall and support us," said area native and Goleta crafter Carol Hirashima. "Twelve Days is a venue for artists to celebrate the holidays. Some retailers may make most of their money now, but many of us also bank on the holidays to get us through the year."

By the size of the crowds and forearms bent forward, laden with bright bags, this holiday season may bode especially well for merchants still in the retail mix after seasonal downswings in the economy.

The airport out in Goleta may be on its way to setting an all-time record for individuals flying this year, and the good weather is inviting shoppers to drive unobstructed throughout the Central Coast.

Big box stores and premium outlet malls still attract bargain hunters from Paso to Camarillo, but local shoppers can cash in on the outstanding options at La Cumbre Plaza. Anchored by Robinsons-May on one end and Sears on the other, the mall has plenty of hot and inviting in between.

But with the strong group of local artists displaying creations since the beginning of the summer, La Cumbre Plaza continues to offer a retail wrinkle that few malls can boast of up and down the California coast.

Goleta artist Shelly Szekely and a handful of other talented women originally started by renting a sliver-of-a-spot in the mall near its security headquarters. Dubbing it Crimson, the group had a good retail run for two consecutive seasons that ended several months ago.

Then, instead of individually approaching such venues as the beach show, Szekely, Hirashima and others opted to band together again, and approached La Cumbre Plaza with the idea for a Saturday Art Walk.

All accounts indicate a warm reception from both merchants and shoppers, and gave the mall something else to generate interest besides the addition of the successful Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays.

Szekely and Hirashima credited marketing director Alice Love and the merchants for taking a bit of a gamble by affording shoppers the option of spending discretionary dollars with artists or in retail stores.

But with destination spots such as Williams Sonoma for the home, J Jill fashions for women, and the Sports Zone for men, the promotional tool has paid off.

What started with a handful of artists has grown to 35 for the Art Walk. The shows are "sold out" for now, with a waiting list only. Szekely is getting calls for all over the region.

With the addition of live Latin jazz also on tap for Twelve Days, shoppers are coming from all over to take in the fun and take home a handcrafted or hand painted piece of art.
"Alice Love from the mall has been wonderful," Szekely said. "She saw the vision and believed this would help everyone. But I’m equally excited about the Twelve Days. This is my baby."

In a humorous twist, the fused glass artisan admitted the Twelve Days of Christmas concept came about in a song that’s dedicated to the twelve days after.

"After I figured that out, I thought why not do it before?" Szekely said with a laugh befitting the holiday season. "We all wanted to be here every day. People can come and find handcrafted art from all of us."

The Twelve Days outdoor extravaganza started earlier this week and will run through next Saturday, Dec. 24. The hours are as wide open as the variety of artists. It goes from mid-morning until just before dark.

In addition to Szekely’s fused glass and Hirashima’s cotton and tapestry fabrics on purses and small bags, gift seekers can choose from woven baskets, jewelry, personalized sketches and cartoons, fine art, photography and ceramic pots made in front of your eyes.

"Ramona Clayton is also setting up her pottery wheel for demonstrations every day, and people can come and meet cartoonist Michael Champe from Goleta," she said. "He will put someone’s name in an actual cartoon to really personalize a gift."

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, St. Nick is also around for seasonal pictures to cherish for a lifetime. Family value packs are available with the photos printed on the spot for last-minute mailings.

"And we’re planning on plenty of Christmas carolers," Szekely said before scooting off to her About Face Studio. "I’m looking for more from the local churches or high schools." To sing along, call Shelly at 967-4602.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL CHAMPE