Art Source Gallery is hosting Anya Anderson’s “Enchanted Nutcracker and the Kingdom of the Dolls,” during the month of September. “Dolls for me are not toys,” says Anya Anderson.  “I imagine they are all part of a little theater, a three-dimensional painting at your house in an intimate setting.” Anya has created a collection of dolls inspired by the timeless Christmas tradition of the Nutcracker story. Her childhood unfolded in the Russian region where Tchaikovsky lived.  Anya was immersed in the Nutcracker ballet, whether at the local theater or at home on her television. Yet beyond the glittering costumes and graceful ballet, she felt a mysterious undercurrent, an intricate, deeper and more eerie tale. “When I later read the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, I was captivated by its complexity and spookiness.” She learned that Hoffmann was a multifaceted artist. He composed music, created visual art and wrote stories that teetered between fantasy and reality. His version of the Nutcracker is far more haunting than the popularized ballet, which was softened by Alexandre Dumas before Tchaikovsky's music turned it into a beloved holiday tradition. In Hoffmann's tale, Marie's love for the Nutcracker doll leads her into a dreamlike world filled with deception and danger. In the finale, she marries the Nutcracker forsaking her mortal existence to dwell eternally in the enchanting kingdom of dolls. “This story of a girl vanishing into her imaginary world resonates deeply with me as a doll maker and artist.” In this show, Anya has brought several Nutcracker characters to life as enchanting dolls. “I hope you experience a blend of whimsy and mystery, stepping into a world where fantasy and reality blur, just as Hoffmann intended. I hope you join me in exploring this enchanting and eerie story through the art of dolls, and feel the emotions that inspired this collection.” Anya Anderson was born in Russia with a lifelong attraction to visual arts. After training in an art studio and art school, she began making dolls in 2014. Her favorite material is Paper clay, a combination of clay and paper pulp that can be fired in a kiln or air-dried. It is lightweight, stronger than regular clay and easy to paint. Paper clay allows Anya to combine her love of sculpture and painting in her art. “The Enchanted Nutcracker and the Kingdom of the Dolls” opens with a reception 5 – 9 pm, Thursday, at Art source Gallery, 1516 Grove Street, Boise. Find more information at artsourcegallery.com.