Greenspace Art & Adventure auction: Faraway places help save local landscape

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• 3 art works from Liz Taylor collection snag $21.8M

  3 art works from Liz Taylor collection snag $21.8M

  Three top works from the late Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor's art collection have sold at a London auction for nearly 14 million pounds ($22 million), the auctioneer Christie's said Tuesday.

• Elizabeth Taylor auctions raise $183 million

  Elizabeth Taylor auctions raise $183 million

  Paintings, jewelry and fashions belonging to the late Elizabeth Taylor have sold for more than $183 million, with all of the more than 1,800 items on offer snapped up, Christie's auction house said Thursday.

• Give art as a gift

  Give art as a gift

  Holiday shoppers seeking oneof-a-kind gifts by local artisans and artists have several options in San Luis Obispo. Among them:

  The annual Craft Arts Market at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, where creations include blown and fused glass, textiles, photography, painting, ceramics, wire, wood and more.

  Tiny blown-glass salt and pepper shakers and vials and tree ornaments of blown glass or tiny hand-painted gourds are among the smallest offerings.

• Christmases past and present at The Jack House and Gardens in SLO

  Christmases past and present at The Jack House and Gardens in SLO

  In 1974, the Jack family deeded a historic home, now known as The Jack House and Gardens, to the city of San Luis Obispo. In doing so, they gave the entire county agift — the opportunity to time-travel back a century just by stepping through its portico-covered front door.

  The home is what Jack House docent president Toni Kincaid calls a “subdued Victorian.” It was built by Robert and Nellie Jack sometime between 1875 and 1880 and has been lived in by various members of the family. Among the goals of the family’s donation was, according to the grant deed, “that the property be renovated and maintained as an example of early day living in San Luis Obispo.”

  Along with the house, the Jack family gifted historic items including furnishings, art, knick-knacks, linens, kitchenware, books, photos and even personal papers. Together, it paints a picture of everyday life a century ago.

• In the right frame of mind at Johnson Framing Studio

  In the right frame of mind at Johnson Framing Studio

  While some kids were clamoring for trips to Disneyland, Gail Johnson spent many happy childhood vacations perusing art galleries and museums.

  “My parents wanted to expose me to as much art and culture as was available to them,” she said. “I grew up in San Luis Obis po, and in the 1950s there really wasn’t much in the way of art here.”

  One exception was a local framing store owned by Myron Graham. Visits to the shop as a child proved significant in setting Johnson’s career path.