The 5-foot-tall wooden piece called “Animal Safari” by T. Keith Justham of Vandergrift graces the window at The Art Center as part of the annual holiday show and sale. Works by members of the Associated Artists of Butler County are available for purchase.

The annual holiday show and sale has been a fixture of the Associated Artists of Butler County for many years.

This year's installment opens Friday at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St. A reception will begin at 7 p.m.

More than 400 pieces of art will be available for purchase. Items include handpainted postcards, handmade Christmas dolls, fabric tote bags, illuminated sculptures, photography plus traditional acrylic, watercolor and oil paintings.

Award-winning artist Bill Perry of Harmony said he has participated in the holiday show and sale the last several years. This year he has 15 pieces in the show, including oil paintings titled “Garlic and Pitcher,” “Carrots and Vase,” “Green Apples,” “Yellow Delicious,” “Pumpkin Pie,” “Grazing,” “Morning Meal,” “At Rest” and “On the Hill.”

Perry said he likes that the show “offers an opportunity for the artist to show a body of works around several themes.”

The show continues through Dec. 31. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Admission is free. Visitors are asked to participate in the U.S. Marine Corps' “Toys for Tots” campaign by taking in new, unwrapped toys to donate.

Additionally, holiday art classes have recently begun at The Art Center.Classes are available in:• Acrylics with an edge, by Shaunenne Holt, Wednesdays through Dec. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m., for age 14 to adult.Learn how to make quick, highly texturized, eye catching acrylic paintings. These paintings are popular and make great household decor or gifts.Cost is $56 for nonmembers and $40 for members.• Ceramic clay holiday art, by Annastaysia Savage, Wednesdays through Dec. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m., for adults.Participants will make a variety of pieces, using the various clay techniques, as well as two types of clay, to produce works of art specifically for the holidays. Clay is provided.Cost is $84 for nonmembers and $60 for members.• Papier-mâché holiday ornaments, by Katherine McLaughlin, starts today and runs Thursdays through Dec. 16, from 5 to 6 p.m., for ages 5 to 10.Students will use various papier-mâché techniques to create holiday ornaments. This is a messy class so wear clothes that can be painted in.Cost is $21 for nonmembers and $15 for members.• Holiday light insect ornaments, by Vanessa Latour, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, for age 6 and older.This class will breathe new life to those colorful, old-fashioned Christmas bulbs as they will be transformed into a variety of insects like bees, butterflies and beetles. Wire and beads will be used to jazz up all insects and sculptures can be made into hanging ornaments, if desired.Cost is $10.50 for nonmembers and $7.50 for members.• Origami ornaments, by Vanessa Latour, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, for age 6 and older.Learn the art of Japanese paper folding as participants create three-dimensional holiday ornaments. An assortment of shiny and pattern papers will be transformed into stars and birds.Cost is $10.50 for nonmembers and $7.50 for members.• Eggstravagant Faberge ornaments, by Vanessa Latour, from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, for age 6 and older.After viewing some examples of Peter Carl Faberge's luxurious and traditional gift eggs, participants will be inspired to make their own “eggstravagant” ornaments using beads, metallic findings and shiny ribbon.Cost is $14 for nonmembers and $10 for members.• Ceramic clay holiday art, by Annastaysia Savage, Saturdays from this Saturday through Dec. 18, from noon to 2 p.m., for all ages.Participants will make a variety of pieces using various clay techniques, as well as two types of clay, to produce works of art specifically for the holidays. Cost is $46 for nonmembers and $30 for members.

• Holiday wrapping paper, by Katherine McLaughlin, from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, for ages 5 to 10.Students will use print making to create wrapping paper patterns. Participants will end up with two pieces of wrapping paper and matching cards. Dress for messy work.Cost is $7 for nonmembers and $5 for members.• Steampunk inspired gifts, by Shaunenne Holt, from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11, for ages 14 to adult.Participants will assemble and match pieces of old watches, computers and other “technological junk” with splashes of paint, decoupage, ink, drawings or photos. Groups members can take in items to use in the art if they wish.Cost is $16 for nonmembers and $12 for members.• Magic Pysanky eggs, by Vanessa Latour, from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 18, for age 16 and older.Make traditional Ukrainian Pysanky eggs with real blown eggs, beeswax and dye baths.Cost is $35 for nonmembers and $25 for members.A description and schedule for each class can be found at the website, www.aabcartcenter.com/art-education-and-classes.

A handbag handcrafted of Egyptian cotton by Janice Nearhoof of Butler Township is one of the many usable pieces of artwork available at the annual holiday show and sale at The Art Center.

Pumpkin Pie, a painting by Bill Perry of Harmony, looks good enough to eat and is just one of many works available starting Friday at the annual holiday show and sale at The Art Center.