Local artists to be featured at DFS Galleria

The DFS Galleria on Saipan will host two full days of holiday activities on Dec. 8 and 15. Both days will be action packed with events for kids and adults.

For instance, customers can have their photos taken with Santa, Saipanda, Kliban, Rex the Dog, and Elvis. Photos are complimentary and are available between 10am and 2pm and again from 5pm to 10:30pm.

Daylong events include free holiday gift-wrapping, liquor, and wine tasting, complimentary cookies, chocolate and tea sampling, balloons and popcorn for the kids, and musical entertainment from 5pm 10:30pm.

When the event was still being planned, DFS wanted to assure that local talent was showcased during the holiday festivities.

“Saipan is such a great cultural place with many talented local artists. We wanted to showcase our local talent during the holiday season” said DFS Saipan president Marian Aldan-Pierce.

Customers will meet and see the art of Greg Elliott from Elliott Artwork. They will also meet and see the work of Nancy Provido from Clay Bodies.

Elliott is a professional watercolor artist living on Saipan. His work illustrates the beauty and culture of the island lifestyle including landscapes, seascapes, floral, and cultural themes. His paintings have been featured in numerous publications and posters and his originals have been collected by individuals worldwide residing in North America, Hawaii, Saipan, Guam, Korea and Japan. His work can be seen online at www.elliottartwork.com.

Provido grew up on Guam and studied Fine Arts at the University of Guam. She has been working with clay for the last 15 years but also paints and works with just about every other art medium. She opened her studio about five years ago and has been teaching people of all ages since. The main emphasis of her work consists of a series of organic forms in which she explores the relationship between form, surface and texture. Influence for her pieces often come from nature and the human form.

For fashionistas, DFS Galleria will be showcasing over 60 luxury items shown at the fashion shows at 8pm and 10pm. The must-see fashion show will take place in the center of the store, according to Aldan-Pierce.

Not only is DFS bringing the holiday spirit to Saipan, they are also giving away lots of raffle prizes too. To top off the two-day event, DFS will be giving away a 2005 Toyota Matrix valued at $19,000 on Dec. 15 at 10pm.

Patrons may enter the drawing for the car by visiting the DFS Galleria and completing the entry form. Raffle draw participants may enter once per day through Dec. 15 and they should be at least 18 years old to enter.

DFS is open for shopping from 10am to 10:30pm through the holiday season. (PR)