December Newsletter: The Season of Giving and a Farewell to 2025
Tis the season of giving, celebrations, and holidays. As the final monthly newsletter of the year I want to start by thanking everyone for an incredible year and share a quick recap of some favorite moments. We celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Winkel Gallery, which is a huge milestone that still makes me pause every time I say it out loud. We also welcomed two new artists to the gallery, Casey White and Federico Gauna, and their work not only sold extremely well but has been consistently praised by visitors. Casey White even received her first international sale with her piece titled ‘Seven Minutes in Heaven’ going to a collector in Mexico.
This year brought collectors from Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington D.C., Boston, Mexico, Indianapolis, Dallas, and of course all across the Baltimore area. We also saw many returning collectors adding their second, third, fourth, or more pieces. One collector set a new record by acquiring 13 works this year alone, bringing their total collection from the gallery to 15 pieces. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the support of everyone.
Since we are in the giving season, and while I may be a little biased, I sincerely believe that art is one of the best gifts you can give. It feels personal, thoughtful, and intentional. With the holidays approaching and gift shopping in full swing, I created a section on the gallery website featuring artworks under $1,000. Every piece in this collection would make a wonderful holiday gift.
Thank you again for an incredible year. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and we invite you to look out for the exciting new artworks, exhibitions, and events we have planned for 2026. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year.
ART AS A GIFT
When deciding on the perfect holiday gift, look no further than local original art. It is something you will cherish, save forever, and often one of a kind. The pieces below would make wonderful gifts.
Few moments feel more iconic during the holidays than the tree lighting at Rockefeller Plaza. Ricardo Roigcaptures that glow perfectly in this piece.
These wire sculptures by Federico Gaunamake perfect gifts and can even work as stocking stuffers. You can purchase them individually or as a set, and there are so many fun poses that resonate with all ages. There is the yoga pose, the spider man pose, the ballerina, the runner, the dancer, and more. They are playful, completely unique, original, and the best part is they are only $65 each.
These works on paper by Tracey Halvorsen are a beautiful blend of American history, art history, and original contemporary art. Each piece is created on vintage ledger pages from 1952, complete with all of their original handwritten markings. They are currently unframed, but they can be framed and customized to your preferences.
NEW WORKS BY JUSTIN
Over the past month I have been experimenting with a new medium, encaustic paint. Encaustic is a wax-based medium that must be heated and then fused to the layers beneath. Imagine painting with melted candle wax because that is essentially what it is: beeswax, damar resin, and pigment. This is a medium I have wanted to explore for a long time and so far I am really enjoying it. The ability to create texture, carve into the wax, and build layers is perfect for my style of work.
I have created three encaustic paintings so far and I am currently working on my fourth, along with my first wax sculpture which may be finished for next month’s newsletter. I always love experimenting with new mediums and techniques, so I thought I would share these new works. Hope you enjoy.
OUTSIDE THE GALLERY
WHAT TO DO
THE NUTCRACKER: The Baltimore School for the Arts
Join The Baltimore School for the Arts for a magical adventure as they present a fresh spin on The Nutcracker: A Magical Tale in Mount Vernon. This beloved holiday classic is choreographed by artist Amy Hall Garner and performed by talented high school and TWIGS dancers.
SHOW TIMES:
December 11, 2025 at 6 pm
December 12, 2025 at 6 pm
December 13, 2025 at 2 pm & 6 pm
December 18, 2025 at 6 pm
December 19, 2025 at 6 pm
December 20, 2025 at 2 pm & 6 pm
WHAT TO WATCH
A 2020 documentary that follows an unexpected relationship between Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova and Karl Bertil Nordland, the man who stole two of her paintings from a gallery in Oslo. After confronting him in court, Barbora becomes fascinated by his vulnerability and asks if she can paint him. What begins as a bold artistic request turns into a deep and complicated friendship that reveals both of their emotional struggles, addictions, and hopes for renewal. The film shifts between their perspectives, showing how each becomes a mirror for the other while exploring trust, obsession, and the power of being truly seen.
WHAT TO READ
DISORDERED ATTENTION: How We Look at Art and Performance Today argues that digital technology has fundamentally changed how we experience art, moving beyond the ideal of "close looking" to new modes like skimming, sampling, and sharing, often mediated by smartphones and social media. Bishop analyzes contemporary art trends like research-based work, performance art, and architectural interventions, proposing that "disordered attention" is the new norm, challenging the idea that focused attention is always superior.The book explores how artists and audiences navigate this shift, where the act of documenting and distributing art (e.g., on Instagram) becomes integral to the work itself, transforming the artwork's social and material status.