Curating the Norwalk Historical Society’s Museum Shop

A new Museum is opening in my town this weekend! Part of the Norwalk Historical Society, it celebrates Norwalk's history and diversity and is sure to be an asset to the city. Located in a stately brick building behind City Hall, it offers innovative and educational exhibits and will be used as a gathering place for exciting events.

The Museum's curators have been hard at work on the exhibits. I, too, have been a curator of sorts, as I was asked to create a Museum gift shop from the ground up. For the past nine months, I’ve been meeting with local artists, going to the gift show in NYC, searching for display pieces, and finally, setting up and styling the shop in a bright, spacious room on the Museum’s first floor.

My goal is to have the store be a shopping destination featuring gifts for all occasions, filled with interesting and unusual items that you can't find just anywhere. I have used it as an opportunity to feature 25 local artists’ work and their affordable paintings, mixed media, photography, home goods, greeting cards, jewelry, ornaments, housewares, toys, books, accessories and more.

You’ll also find custom tote bags, aprons, dish towels, soaps, hats, tee shirts and hoodies, all with the Norwalk Historical Society’s lovely new logo.

And for the holidays, a very special Norwalk globe ornament has been created just for us. So pretty!

I had such fun putting the shop together and I’m very pleased with how it turned out.

If you are in the area this weekend, shop local and stop in. The Holiday Open House (and ribbon cutting) is on Saturday, December 5 from noon until 4 pm. Hope to see you there!

If you can’t make it this Saturday, please note that regular Museum hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 pm with extended Holiday shopping hours on Friday, December 11, noon to 7 pm and Saturday, December 12, 10 am to 4 pm. The Museum is located behind Norwalk City Hall at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk CT.

Susan
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