23rd Annual Holiday Open House Hosted by Cynthia’s Flower Shop and the Martha Link Walsh Gallery with a Percentage of Sales Donated to the Branford Food Council

*Event hosts Cynthia Purcell and Martha Link Walsh.*

Join us for our 23rd Annual Holiday Open House, December 5th and 6th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Bring home a treasure to celebrate the spirit of the season from the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, Cynthia’s Flower Shop and the Secret Garden Bookshop.

You’ll find holiday decorations, original paper cuts, oil paintings by Margaret B. Dean, antique and hand-cut ornaments, wreaths and greens, flower arrangements, treasured books, hand-crafted jewelry and many surprises. Plus, treats provided by Take the Cake! There’s something for everyone on your list!

A percentage of sales from the Open House will be donated to the Branford Food Council.

For more information, contact Cynthia’s Flower Shop, 188 North Main St., Branford, (203) 481-3115, www.cynthiasflowershop.com or the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, 188 North Main St., Branford, (203) 481-3505,www.marthalinkwalsh.com.

Martha Link Walsh will introduce her new book, A Paper-Cut Christmas: Legends of the Gift Giver, at her gallery on Thursday, December 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.This special evening will kick off her book-signing events and the holiday distribution of this magical book.

Storytelling is at the heart of Martha’s art and A Paper-Cut Christmas: Legends of the Gift Giver. This collection of endearing stories, accented by Martha’s imaginative artwork, shares favorite legends and the origins of Christmas beliefs around the world. Both oral history and written documentation are combined to create joy-filled tales about the miracles of the holiday.

Concerned that the “Coca-Cola” Santa was taking over the rich and varied stories of various characters who annually arrive in December, Martha recounts the fanciful foundations of today’s beliefs and celebrations through the art of cut paper. Whether it is Italy’s Lady Befana, Sweden’s St. Lucia, or Finland’s Joulupukki, the illustrations and stories are captivating reminders of folk tales and treasured beliefs that have lasted generations.

A self-taught artist, Walsh has maintained a gallery in Branford for 40 years, selling her original creations and one-of-a-kind paper-cut family heirlooms. Each is designed to tell a story – a birth, a wedding, a retirement, a celebration – in paper-cut images and symbols that capture memories for years to come.

As a special gift is included for those who purchase A Paper-Cut Christmas: Legends of the Gift Giver at the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, 188 North Main Street in Branford. Copies may also be purchased online atwww.marthalinkwalsh.com.

For more information, contact Martha at (203) 481-3505, or marthalinkwalsh@comcast.net.