Ravenna and Emily enjoyed a blissful afternoon of cupcakes and art at The Nave Gallery. – Photo by Lawrence Paolella

By Erica Scharn

The Nave Gallery kicked off its Wrap Around Sale to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition with cupcakes, rubber ducks and homemade goods on Saturday.

The Nave Gallery in Somerville, which is a volunteer-run exhibition space, hosts the Wrap Around Sale every November, starting with a Cupcake Reception. The Wrap Around Sale features handmade goods by artists, crafters and knitters, with all of the proceeds benefitting the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Now in its sixth year, the event raised nearly $3,000 for the Coalition last year. The Wrap Around Sale will take place every Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., until December 15, 2013 (with the exception of Thanksgiving weekend).

Tori Costa, Margaret Ryan and Mark Alston-Follansbee.
– Photo by By Erica Scharn

Mark Alston-Follansbee, executive director of the Somerville Homeless Coalition, addressed the group to provide some background as people ate their cupcakes and sipped on coffee or tea. “A lot of our work now is trying to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place, because once you become homeless it’s very hard to get out of it. So last year we prevented almost 400 people, both families and individuals, from becoming homeless.” The attendees applauded. “But the thing to remember is that nobody should be homeless,” he said.

The display tables at the Nave were full of hats, gloves, bags, purses, mittens, scarves and assorted handmade items, all priced below $50. Some attendees tried on multiple scarves, and, unable to choose between the different colors and styles, asked for second opinions before settling on their purchases. Nave Gallery Volunteer Tori Costa said that some of the crafters in the community are making items on a year-round basis.

“I really like the whole concept of community projects to support the Somerville Homeless Coalition,” said Costa. “It’s a great way to get people involved. It’s definitely a feel-good event.” Costa said that items not sold are donated to the Coalition.

Michael Ahern sat on the long pew in the gallery and scrawled on a white rubber duck with a pen. The decorated ducks will be utilized as part of a fundraiser for the Nave in December. “It’s an invitation to interact with the gallery,” said Ahern.

Rubber ducks are also featured in an installation in the Nave’s Reliquary exhibition, which runs until December 15. A colorful rubber-duck filled bathtub sits on a carpet of crushed cocoa beans, filling the gallery with a hot chocolate-like smell. Ahern said that the smell was one of his favorite parts of the afternoon.

Ahern looked up from his rubber duck as Gila Paolella tried on her new beige hood.

“I like to know my Christmas money is going to help other people,” said Paolella.