The holidays are a great time for art and crafts fans to purchase once-a-year finds, and the Arvada Center is giving shoppers a lot to view.

The 26th annual Fine Art Market show and sale and 5th annual Arvada Center Educational Studios (ACES) show and sale both kick-off on Dec. 6 and will be open to shoppers through Dec. 16.

Both shows are at the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., with the Fine Art Market in the main gallery and the ACES show in the upper gallery.

The money raised from the Fine Art Market goes to the center’s galleries, and the money from the ACES show goes toward supporting the ACES program, so no matter which show people shop at, the money is helping out the center, according to Kristin Bueb, art market coordinator.

Each show has a unique focus, with the Fine Art Market featuring affordable works in every medium, from jewelry to sculpture and paintings, and all the works are done by Colorado artists.

“The aim of this show is really to make art affordable for people, and so we have 93 artists in all mediums for sale,” said Bueb. “There are items from as low as $3.50 to in the several thousands.”

The market is the only fundraiser the gallery has all year, and is primarily invitational, with a few new artists added every year.

Chuck McCoy has been participating in the market off and on for the past 20 years, and also works as the center’s graphic designer. His specialty are monotype works, which he gained an interest in after getting his degree in graphic design.

“My work is abstract and improvisational, which lends itself toward monotype works,” he said. “It’s also a style that allows me to be really prolific when I’m in the studio.”

The ACES sales was created as an offshoot of its annual spring sale, and offers ceramic works from instructors and higher-level students from the center’s classes. About 50 participants have contributed work to this year’s sale, according to Bueb. She also added that the artists began preparing works months in advance for the show.

“The items in this show are really affordable, and people will find items and some really great prices,” she said.

The public is invited to attend the kick-off event for both shows, which is from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, and will give shoppers a chance to meet many of the artists and participate in a silent auction for many items.

For those interested in shopping during the week and weekend, the Fine Art Market and ACES shows are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and the Fine Art Market is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the ACES show is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For more information, call 720-898-7255 or visit www.arvadacenter.org.