18 Art Gifts for New Graduates
Wondering what to give a high school senior fleeing the nest or a college graduate off to a first job?
From motivational mirrors to artist-designed blankets, discover inspiring gifts that your graduate will treasure for years to come. After all, a college dorm or new apartment can always use a special reminder of home.
To buy any of these works, you can click on the image and contact the gallery directly.
Plants (That Won’t Die) by Rose Eken
Unlike fresh flowers, these floral prints will last for years beyond graduation day. Plus, prints are relatively easy and cost-effective to ship.
$210–290
Text Messages by Allison Wade and Craig Damrauer
Wade and Damrauer are both known for their quippy phrases—and these pieces are sure to put a smile on your graduate’s face.
$150–575
Mid-Century Bottle Openers by Carl Auböck
Auböck—one of the most celebrated figures of Austrian Modernism—crafted exquisite objects for every part of the home, including these horn, brass, and wicker bottle openers.
$300–800
Posters about the Future by Shepard Fairey
While watches might be a traditional graduation gift, Fairey’s street art rendition of a timepiece is a fitting alternative—and a definite upgrade from the standard dorm room poster.
$350
Survival Tips by Jenny Holzer
Holzer famously began producing her “Truism” slogans in 1983—and you can share the artist’s survival tips with these pencils, postcards, prints, and more.
$475–850
Graduation Essentials by James Zamora
In a hyperrealistic style, Zamora paints jalapeño chips, Disney DVDs, and other nostalgia-inducing objects that your graduate might love.
$450–950
Art Textiles by Michael Craig-Martin and Yayoi Kusama
Looking for a cozy gift? Craig-Martin’s lambswool blanket is perfect for cold winter nights, while Kusama’s polka-dotted towel is a standout for summer beach days or picnics on the quad.
$250–730
Loving Phrases by Blair Chivers
You can also send your graduate some daily cheer with Chivers’s artistic mirrors, which are etched with motivational phrases like “Never Give Up.”
$590
