Aesthetica Christmas Gift Guide

Aesthetica Christmas Gift Guide

Whoever you’re buying for we’ve got a multitude of suggestions that are bound to enhance the following year and offer new cultural opportunities. From membership cards to subscriptions and jewellery, we’ve got it covered. Read our top 10 suggestions for gifts this Christmas from top institutions, independent and established companies.

A Subscription to Aesthetica
Bringing together the best in contemporary photography, each issue offers seven image features that offer new perspectives in a variety of genres, from fashion and advertising, to fine art and documentary. Alongside these are four art features that delve into the very substance of Architecture, Fashion, Design and Contemporary Visual Arts, as well as up-to-date news and reviews pieces designed for our evolving readership. Each magazine is curated as a journey through ideas, presenting creativity as an individual, physical and psychological phenomenon.  www.aestheticamagazine.com

Join Ffotogallery, Cardiff
Ffotogallery has an active policy of commissioning new work which, in particular, provides a vital support system to photographers in Wales. There are two types of memberships available: one for the Gallery and one for the Darkroom. As well as the opportunity to support a thriving visual arts organisation in Wales, the gallery offers members 25% discount on Ffotogallery publications purchased at the Gallery at Turner House, use of their specialist photographic library and archive, and Darkroom membership. www.ffotogallery.org.

National Gallery Membership
Enjoy a year of inspiring art with free entry to exhibitions including Monochrome: Painting in Black and White and Reflections: Van Eyck and the Pre-Raphaelites  and in 2018 enjoy The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Monet & ArchitectureThomas Cole’s Journey and Mantegna and Bellini. Memberships include exclusive preview days and private views of exhibitions, film screenings and the Members’ summer party 10% off in the National Dining Rooms and a range of offers in the Gallery shops and café and members-only discounts on a variety of lectures, workshops, and study days. www.nationalgallery.org.uk.

Schminke Painting Sets
From the compact basic colours set in cardboard, through solid metal boxes for watercolour painting to elegant and extensive wooden boxes, as a present or for your own use and perfect for transporting – Schmincke offers a large range of painting sets for all types of colour. www.schmincke.de.

Become Friends with YSP
Home to works by James Turrell, Ai Weiwei and Antony Gormley, YSP is a destination for sculpture in Wakefield.  Become a member and enjoy 10% off in their award-winning shop and on all YSP food and drink, invitations to major exhibition launches and exclusive YSP Friends events, behind-the-scenes stories and seasonal newsletters, priority booking, annual parking and an exclusive YSP Friends pack designed by Rob Ryan. www.ysp.org.uk.

Windsor & Newton: Versatile Acrylics
Windsor and Newton’s Professional Acrylic range is the most innovative acrylic colour available. It combines the finest grade pigments with a transparent binder which ensures colours stay the same from wet to dry. Galeria acrylic colours offer a wide range of affordable, strong, vibrant colours. Both ranges have a wide selection of mediums to complement and personalise your palette. www.winsornewton.com.

Dornbracht Designs
The discerning kitchen is a room of functions and processes. The better and more sophisticated the equipment, the easier the preparations. With this in mind, Dornbracht developed the WATER ZONES concept. This allows a meaningful separation of the different water-related procedures, as is already the norm in professional kitchens. www.dornbracht.com.

Art Fund National Art Pass
From Cardiff Castle and Kensington Palace to the V&A and Tate Modern ­– the National Art Pass gives free entry to over 240 museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK as well as 50% off entry to major exhibitions. Keep up-to-date with the latest in the arts and culture world with this diverse and all-encompassing gift. www.artfund.org

Graff Diamonds: Luxury Craftsmanship
Laurence Graff OBE founded Graff Diamonds in 1960. Today, after more than five decades at the pinnacle of the luxury jewellery industry Graff continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence. Their statement pieces offer expertise in craftsmanship, along with meticulous detail and design ingenuity. www.graffdiamonds.com.

Cass Art Gift Sets
The Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen Box Set contains 90 Pitt Artist Pens presented in a varnished wenge-wood gift case. Faber-Castell is one of the world’s largest and oldest manufacturers of pens and pencils and their PITT pens continue to be the first choice for many graphic artists, designers, illustrators, and fine artists. www.cassart.co.uk.