The Museum Shop

With the holidays just around the corner, we thought we’d focus some attention on our Museum Shop, a perfect place to find unique and beautiful gifts.

Though the Addison has been around for more than 80 years, the Museum Shop was a part of the Addison’s recent renovation and expansion project, and has been open just since September 2010. The Museum Shop carries primarily works by American artisans and craftspeople in keeping with the Addison’s mission of collecting American art. When choosing what to sell in the Shop, we look for high-quality items that are not found in other shops in the area, finding new things at craft shows and working with vendors who can create one-of-a-kind items specifically for the Shop. Since the Shop’s opening, the most popular items have been jewelry and scarves, as well as Addison mugs, note cards, and postcards.

Also available in the Shop are many custom-made items inspired by works from the Addison’s collection, including iPhone covers, notepads, and limited-edition bags made from the vinyl exhibition banners which once hung from the Addison’s portico. And in addition to the ever-popular jewelry and scarves, we are carrying a selection of housewares and holiday ornaments from artisans from New England and around the country. For book lovers, we offer catalogues and publications relating to our collection as well as our exhibitions, including the catalogue for the spectacular American Vanguards: Graham, Davis, Gorky, de Kooning and Their Circle 1927–1942, on view at the Addison through December 30.

We’re always looking for ideas from our fans, visitors, and vendors for new items and artisans that might be a good fit for the Museum Shop. If you have suggestions, please contact us at addison@andover.edu. We hope you’ll stop by soon! And remember, Friends of the Addison and Phillips Academy faculty, staff, and students receive a 10 percent discount on shop merchandise.