(As of May 2008)

Alki Art and Gifts is owned by Gary and Alina, a husband and wife team of fused glass artists (see all our work at www.AtlantisFusedGlass.com). We have been actively involved in glass work since 2005 and wanted to have a retail location that would make our work available to the public. So, when a retail space became available April of 2007, Alki Art and Gifts was born.

In addition to showing our work, we also wanted to be able to offer unique and interesting handcrafted merchandise by various selected artists. All of the work for sale at Alki Art and Gifts is carefully chosen by us. Every piece is something we would either want to have in our home or give as a gift.

While choosing handcrafted pieces, we try to make sure they are affordable and of high quality. Many of the items we select are exclusive to our location. You simply will not find them anywhere else. In all, we work with over 40 artists throughout the United States.

In our first year of operation, we learned that customers were interested in seeing more Alki Beach merchandise. As a result, we collaborated with several local artists to be able to offer our customers a wider selection of products unique to Alki Beach. Such things as Alki Beach original art, cards with images of the Alki Beach, magnets and T-shirts will be appearing in the shop this year.

On board with us, we have two employees, Gail and Nancy. Both are residents of West Seattle and are knowledgeable about the area and the product we have available. Gail is a multi-media artist. Some of her artwork, such as paintings on driftwood, porcelain and ceramics, is available for purchase at our shop. Nancy is crafty with cards and also works at Friends and Company on California Avenue.

We have a daughter, Leila, who is almost two and a half. Our son, Kasey, who was born on March 10 of this year. And while they keep us busy, we are always open to ideas on what you would like to see in our shop and pride ourselves in being able to offer you custom products.

Shortly after becoming artists, we read it somewhere that surrounding ourselves with art should be simply one of the goals that we have for our lives. It is easy to buy a framed print that will match the theme of your room or the color scheme of your house. What about finding an original  painting with the same criteria? Will you pay more for it? Probably. But what about the pride that comes with knowing that you own an original piece of work that is one-of-a-kind? Will it inspire you as you walk by it every day? Will it inspire others who come into your home? What about giving something unique as a gift? Will it be more treasured than something mass produced? Will you be more remembered as a result of it?

Surround yourself with art. It gives back. It lives on.