The Manhattan Arts Center is featuring its 11th annual "Wrap It Up" art exhibit and sale. The exhibit features more than 80 artists from all over Kansas and began on Nov. 6.

Bettina Boller, education and marketing director of the arts center, said "Wrap It Up" gets its name from the phrase "wrap it up and take it with you," since the pieces of art make great gift ideas for the holiday season. But, Boller said, people should be encouraged to come whether they plan to buy something or not.

"Not only is it a sale, it's also an art exhibit," Boller said.

Most of the art is priced under $100, and 30 percent of the proceeds go to supporting the center. The pieces featured come in a wide variety: jewelry, paintings, pottery and even blown glass.

"You name it, it's probably here," Boller said.

The artists featured come as varied as their crafts, representing all different ages, backgrounds and lifestyles.

Gene Ernst, a retired K-State professor of architecture, has been painting for about 50 years. Ernst specializes in watercolor paintings of Kansas landscapes and buildings. Since retiring in 1992, he has devoted much of his time to art.

Ernst has been a member of the Manhattan Arts Center board, a member of the Columbian Artists in Wamego and has participated in nearly every "Wrap It Up" exhibit. As of Monday, three of the seven paintings Ernst brought to this year's exhibit were already sold.

"Being an architect, I understand buildings and represent them pretty well," Ernst said. "They don't always turn out good. Those go under my bed."

While Ernst has more time for painting, fellow architect Lorie Bowman lives a busy life as part of Bowman, Bowman, Novick Inc., which has offices in Manhattan and Kansas City. When she is not working on buildings, Bowman can be found carefully constructing a necklace or a pair of earrings with materials like beads, vintage rhinestones and found objects.

"It's just fun," Bowman said. "I've always loved jewelry-making."

Bowman sai she has participated in about eight "Wrap It Up" exhibits, so far, and thinks it is "a wonderful fundraiser" for the center. Bowman said she enjoys looking around the exhibits each year to see what her fellow artists are up to, and often ends up buying something either as a gift or for herself.

"There were a lot of new names this year," Bowman said. "It was exciting."

One of those new names is Harold Sievers, who is the woodshop supervisor in the art department. Sievers contributed 10 pieces of functional pottery to the center, such as pitchers and cups. Sievers was introduced to his love of pottery by a student teacher in high school.

"It struck a chord in me," Sievers said.

Sievers said there was a period of time when he did not make much pottery, but that he has been getting back into it, recently. This was his first time participating in the exhibit.

"I see it as a good chance for local exposure," Sievers said. "I like to support the local arts."

Another contributor to this year's "Wrap It Up" is a doctor from Topeka named Doug Sheafor. His colorful creations of blown glass can be found under the name AlBo Glass, the small business he owns.

AlBo Glass was originally started by his daughter, Alison, and wife, Bo. Alison graduated from K-State with a fine arts degree in 1990 and needed a studio to work in. Bo had inherited some money and suggested converting the family's garage. The two joined together and formed AlBo Glass.

"Alison decided to be an artist at age 3, and that never changed," Sheafor said. "She's the best artist in the family."

Bo passed away a few years ago, and Alison has moved out of state, so Doug took over the family business with the help of three part-time assistants.

These artists and many more can be found at the Manhattan Arts Center until Dec. 24. All of the art on display is for sale, and gift cards are also available.