We are proud to feature many St. Louis-based artists in the CAM POP shop, many of whom have created CAM exclusives—just in time for the holidays.

Amy Thompson presents gorgeous calendars, funky coasters, and unique letterpress games from her company, Paper Boat Studios. Amy teaches book design and typography at Maryville University and operates two Chandler & Price letterpress printing presses—Leona and Dolly—out of her Cherokee Street storefront.

Jenny Murphy is the founder and executive director of Perennial. Inspired by objects discarded on the side of the road, Jenny started Perennial as a way to fight back against the consumer culture that leads to such waste. For CAM, she has made amazing “do-it-yourself” kits, including one for making coasters out of wine corks.

Scarves, coasters, and dishtowels from screen printer Amanda Gray-Swain of Sprouted Designs feature natural images that Amanda photographs and then transfers to the screen.

And last but not least, multi-talented Gina Alvarez has created sweet and delicate necklaces as well as gorgeous shadow boxes with small pieces of her art. Look for her pieces under the name Fox and Whale. (I think they are a treasure and own two shadow boxes myself.)

Just for the holidays, several of these artists are making CAM exclusives. Special snow globes, paper garlands made from letterpress remnants, and scarves will be on sale starting next week.

See you at CAM!

Judy Glik, Firecracker Marketworks

CAM POP is the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis’s innovative new retail space, consisting of a series of focused pop-up shops that change with each new exhibition season. One: Contemporary Design is CAM POP’s debut shop, featuring products from carefully selected artists and artisans that relate to new trends in contemporary design.

Our opening selection features artists who are creating innovative work right here in St. Louis. Tied to the current exhibition by Jonathan Horowitz, Your Land/My Land: Election ’12, and CAM’s debate watch parties, we thought we’d feature some political items to make you laugh. From Bobbi Nesladeck of Down Zipper, “Barack” and “Mitt” squeek toys for dogs are one of our best-selling items, and we love supporting this witty local artist.

We also asked Brooke Pratt from Sucre Shop make “Barack” and “Mitt” wooden spoons. Brooke’s work has been featured in the national magazines Martha Stewart Living, People, and Redbook, as well as locally in Feast. Wouldn’t it be fun to use these candidate specific utensils at your next political gathering? Which one would you choose? Which toy would your dog choose? Let the debate begin!

For the non-political shoppers out there, local artists Gina Alvarez, Amanda Verbeck, Amy Thompson, Amanda Gray-Swain, and Heidi Neuman lend creative twists to traditional items like dish towels, coasters, and jewelry. As their work has proved tremendously popular, we’re commissioning them to create CAM exclusives for the holiday season. Stayed tuned for fun and unique holiday gifts, only available at CAM.

National artists like Asheville ceramist Heather Knight and Minneapolis jeweler Tia Keobounpheng also bring fresh, cutting-edge design to the mix. And we have toys and items for children too!

One: Contemporary Design is only open through December 30. Afterwards, we’ll make room for our next pop-up shop concept, which will coincide with CAM’s spring exhibition season. We receive new jewelry, gifts, and toys weekly, and every purchase you make at CAM POP supports CAM and the artists we feature. Don’t miss out—come by often!

By Judy Glik, Firecracker Marketworks

VALENTINE’S DAY IS IN TWO WEEKS!  Good, now that I’ve got your attention –because you ‘re still looking for something for that special someone – let me give you an easy fix with a few V-Day presents available in CAM’s Gift Shop.  All of these gifts come in beautiful shades of red, white, and silver, and give the “I’m thankful you’re you” message you’re looking for.

Whether you’re looking for a Heart CAM T-shirt for your laid-back girlfriend, a recyclable, aluminum water bottle with carabineer for your outdoorsy boyfriend, or a book on her favorite exhibit at CAM for your Mom, we’ve got you covered!  All of these gifts and more are available for purchase online at www.camstl.org/shop or by visiting the CAM Shop Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; Sunday, 11 am-4 pm; and until 8 pm on Thursday. 

Check out our Valentine’s Day gift ideas available in CAM’s Gift Shop:

My personal favorite gift idea is the gift that lasts an entire year!  You can share your love of CAM with a gift membership this Valentine’s Day!  For only $45 you can give your special someone a year-long gift of art.  Members enjoy unlimited admission to exhibitions, invitations to special member events, and the joy of supporting a dynamic organization like CAM.  The process is easy.  Just visit www.camstl.org/membership or contact Emily DeCenso at edecenso@camstl.org or by calling 314-535-0770 x217 to buy your special someone a year membership at CAM. 

Don’t leave buying a Valentine’s Day gift until the very last minute.  Visit CAM now through February 14 for an out of the box Valentine’s Day gift that will get you noticed.  

Product information:

1.  A Fiction of Authenticity: Contemporary Africa Abroad.  $35.  7.75 x 10 inch, 184 page, paperback catalog.  More than 60 color illustrations.  Foreword by Paul Ha. Essays by Shannon Fitzgerald, Tumelo Mosaka, Okwui Enwezor, Salah Hassan, Gilane Tawadros, Orlando Britto Jinorio and Ery Camara. 

2.  Silver Spiral Aluminum Journal with CAM logo.  $12.

3.  Sabina Ott: Everywhere There is Somewhere.  $15.  5.75 x 8 inch, 52 page, paperback exhibition catalog. 14 color illustrations.  Introduction by Elizabeth Wright Millard and Mel Watkin. Essays by William H. Gass and Rochelle Steiner.

4.  Cindy Sherman: Working Girl.  $20.  10 x 8 inch, 56 page, paperback exhibition catalog. More than 20 black and white illustrations.  Foreword by Paul Ha. Essay by Catherine Morris.  Designed by Bruce Burton. 

5.  I Remember Heaven: Jim Hodges and Andy Warhol.  $35.  9×12 inch, 112 page, hardcover exhibition catalog.  Foreword by Paul Ha. Essays by Susan Cahan and Jose Munoz.  Designed by Omnivore.

6.  Heart CAM Black T-shirt.  $10.

7.  Carroll Dunham: Paintings and Drawings.  8.5 x 10 inch, 52 page, paperback exhibition catalog. 23 color illustrations.  Foreword by Nancy Doll. Essay and catalogue descriptions from Phyllis Plous.  Organized by the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum.

8.  CAM Logo Aluminum Sports Bottle.  $5.

9.  Michael Lin.  Palais de Tokyo. 

10.  Utopian Cannibal: Adventures in Reverse Anthropology.  $25.  9 x 6.5 inch, 90 page, paperback exhibition catalog. More than 20 color illustrations.  Foreword by Elizabeth Wright Millard. Essays by Mel Watkin and Manuel Ocampo.

11.  Larry Krone: Artist/Entertainer Limited Edition Boxset.  $100.  10.5 x 6.75 inch, limited edition of 500 box set. 98-page full-color exhibition catalog.  Essays by Shannon Fitzgerald and Carin Kuoni.  Designed by Bruce Burton.

12.  Black CAM Logo Ball Cap.  $6.  Adjustable back.

13.  Michael Lin.  $30.  9 x 9 inch, 64 page, hardcover exhibition catalog. 55 coloriIllustrations.  Foreword by Paul Ha. Essays by Shannon Fitzgerald and Frances Stark.  Designed by Bruce Burton.

14.  Metallic CAM Carry All Bag.  $25. 

15.  Kim Mosely: Sixteen Stages of Psychosexual Development with Wordy Drawings & Annotations.  $8.  11 x 8.5 inch, 48 page, paperback exhibition catalog.

16.  Katie Holten: Paths of Desire.  $25.  9×7 inch, 120 page, paperback exhibition catalog.  Foreword by Paul Ha. Edited by Katie Holten. Text by Lia Gangitano. Contributions by Elizabeth Kolbert, James Howard Kunstler, A. M. Homes, Rebecca Solnit, Fritz Haeg, J.G. Ballard, Andrea Zittel.  Designed by Bruce Burton.

17.  Pink CAM Logo T-shirt.  $10.

18.  Reconditioned Abstraction.  $10.  11 x 8.5 inch, 20 page, paperback exhibition catalog. Includes color illustrations from each artist.  Introduction by Mel Watkin. Essay by Martin Ball.

19.  For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn’t there.  $40.  9 x 13.75 inch, 176 page, softcover exhibition catalog.  Includes a new essay by exhibition curator Anthony Huberman.  Edited, arranged, and designed by London-based writer Will Holder.