Meet… The Women of The Cottage of Art & Design

Beekman Street’s Cottage of Art & Design

(left to right) Front row: Susan Rivers & Meg Dalton Back row: Meryl Davis & Amejo Amyot

Offers Holiday Ideas on a Silver Platter

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA ST. JOHN

Beekman Street Arts District is a bustling neighborhood on the west side of town – just a couple blocks off Broadway. The three-block area showcases many art galleries, restaurants, stunning period homes, shops offering holistic alternatives, and much more!

The Cottage of Art & Design features the works of six local innovators who’ve brought an eclectic compilation of pieces to life within the walls of this charming building. It’s a flourishing co-op model that has infused some new energy into Beekman. I love wandering the streets of Saratoga and popping in and out of the shops on Beekman Street is one of my favorite pastimes. Everything seems to pulsate with love for the arts here – and you’ll feel it from the moment you step inside 73 Beekman. There happened to be four artists there the day I visited, and it was fun chatting with them while I looked over what they had to offer in original, outstanding gifts. With the holidays right around the corner, it seemed as if I could mark a few items off my gift-giving list. Amejo Amyot, Meg Dalton, Meryl Davis, Nancy Niefeld, Susan Rivers, and Don Shore are the bones of the enterprise. When the space became available, they jumped in with both (all 12 of them!) feet. And the work schedule works – they take turns minding the shop, chatting with customers, and working on their art while they do. Frequently, the Cottage will feature one of its creators in a pop-upstyle event, where people can come and meet the artist, growing familiar with what they bring to the business. The Cottage of Art & Design also offers workshops in quilting, textiles, tiles, and painting to the public. Inside the shop, I admired many items spread attractively throughout the bright space – from clay work to paintings, enamel jewelry and mosaics, sculptures, tile work, amazingly different quilts and purses, fiber arts and so much more. Christmas is a time to show loved ones how much they mean to us, and these Cottage gifts are made with care, and chosen with specific people in mind. Folks visiting from Canada walked through the open door while I was browsing, and they commented on the same thing. I watched as one artist wandered around the shop with them, answering questions – not just about their work – they were well-versed in everyone else’s, too. The sales pitch was soft – no one felt pressured to buy an item. I could tell each person was genuinely interested in the pieces they placed on the counter to purchase. Once the artist had carefully wrapped and bagged the gifts, their conversation continued for several minutes – something you don’t often see in a big box or department store setting. It’s terrific to see shops with smiling faces and friendly service open again. And shopping locally is more important than ever before. Saratoga has numerous small, independent businesses with unique gifts for every occasion. This holiday season let’s check more of them out! SS