"What aparks in your imagination and what moves you when you look at the handmade craft work of an artisan who lives in a different part of the world?"  

This is the question Global Gifts, a Short North fair trade store, posed to Columbus-area artists.  Their visual responses are the focus of Fairly Inspired: Local-Global Connections Art Show on display at Global Gifts during the month of May. 

In a spirit of reciprocity and in honor of World Fair Trade Day, Global Gifts invited local artists to choose from fair trade artisan handcrafts in the store and to let their inspiration lead them to create original works of art. Fair Trade promotes handmade, artisan products while respecting the cultural identity of artisans from developing countries.  The intention of this art show is to highlight the links between artisans and artists from both near and far away with a commitment to supporting and celebrating their talents and skills.  

Participating local artists include OAL member, Donna Estep, as well as: 

Melissa Ayotte, Tiffany Christopher, Ashley YaYa Daubenmire, Danielle Forbes, Judy Gerdeman, Alissa Head, Elissa Leach, Lisa McLymont, Danielle Poling, Marritt Vaessin, Wendy Yeager, and Lisa Metzker. 

Artists' Reception, which is open to the public, will be held Saturday, May 9th from 6:30-9:30pm Global Gifts located at 682 N. High St. in the Short North Arts District.  Maza Blazka will be performing live music from 6:30-8:30pm.