Oscar Wilde says the secret of life is in art. I have always felt like art holds secrets that I have not yet taken the chance to understand.

I remember going to the Detroit Institute of Arts as a teenager and wandering around in awe and also wondering what I was supposed to be in awe of. On the way out, I stopped in at the gift shop and bought a few postcard pictures of the pieces that most fascinated me.

I'd like to say that I went home to find out a little about the artist or the paintings, but instead, I think I just wanted to take a little bit of the intrigue home with me. An inexpensive way to ‘donate’ to the Institute and have something to show for it.

Locally, we have a beautifully renovated and expanded art museum on campus - the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Part of the expansion includes the Museum Store, which has been open for only nine months.

The Museum Store is more than just a place to shop for souvenirs. The items for sale are artistic creations in and of themselves. Store manager Cynthia Witthoff takes pleasure in offering an assortment of items that really are collected works of art.

The store puts emphasis on work from local artisans and pieces made from recycled material. You will find plenty of one-of-a-kind gifts to fit any budget and any décor. There are items for the art collector, and the novice, too. Best of all, the purchases all go to support the Museum of Art.

Like the Museum, the pieces in the store are arranged by collection, and I will tell you about my favorite one first. Words don’t do justice to many of the items, so please check out the mini slideshow, too.

• The wood turned art has a story to tell. It is unique, it is local, it is recycled -- and in fact it is made from downed U-M trees, some of which stood in the spot that the Art Museum now occupies. Seventy local and national wood artists - some of which have pieces on display in the museum - donated their time and skills toward developing this collection.
• Ann Arbor really loves its trees, so to take a negative like tree removal and turn it into an element of beauty is genius. Prices range from moderate to expensive; over 90% of the original collection has been sold.
• Glassware by local artist Robert Nisely has been unbelievably well received, I am told. His style evokes the impressionism show currently at the Museum. The glass pieces are done in a palette based on color swatches from the gallery, and the interior painting makes them very attractive and affordable for a distinctive piece.
• There are also glass items in their jewelry and recycled collections. A poured glass dish is 95% recycled and stamped with antique metal pieces.
• Jewelry is another hot seller at the Museum Store, and the choices are plentiful. I was drawn to the brightly color textile fabric necklaces made by stay-at-home moms in Ohio. They are easy to wear and eye-catching, definitely an example of art that can be worn, too.
• The certified Baltic amber and crystal jewelry pieces are not nearly as costly as they look.
• You can also pick up Pewabic tiles with UMMA’s custom peacock designs framed in Ann Arbor oak, especially made for the Museum Store. Unframed, the tiles are $15 each and come in many kid friendly animal designs.
• Graphic designers and students of art would be tickled to receive a Pantone colored mug priced at $12.50.

I hope to come back to the Museum of Art with my family over the holiday break. If I do, Witthoff recommends the dialog table, the samurai, and the gun sculpture as must sees. She also suggests I take a look at the book “How to Talk to Children about Art” before we come. One of her favorites, it sells for $17.95.

When we come back we will definitely hit the Museum Store. Maybe one of the jewelry items will make it into my stocking this year.

Lead Shopping Blogger Angie Smith will hunt for deals and dish on the latest in retail in Ann Arbor. Readers will attain notices of great deals, and store happenings in and around the city. To report a news item or tip contact her at angieannarbor@gmail.com