GLOBAL GIFTS
The15th annual Nativity Show and Sale, held early in November, launched another exciting holiday season at Global Gifts, a nonprofit international folk-art shop that has earned its reputation as the West Coast's hub for creches and friendly personalized service. The show and sale unveils Global Gifts' stunning inventory of hundreds of rare, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind creches from unusual sources in every comer of the globe. An added plus is that profits from all sales benefit children's charities worldwide.
All year at Global Gifts, the hunt is on for new artisans, craftspeople, and other sources of Nativities. Among the dozens of countries represented this year are Kazakhstan, Argentina, Armenia, Bali, Kenya, Panama, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Haiti, Chile, Spain, Sri Lanka, Greece, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Tibet, Uganda, the Holy Land, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Bolivia, El Salvador, Ecuador, the Czech Republic, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Many different Native American tribes are represented too. These creches come in all varieties of materials, including glass, wood, ceramic, recycled metal, stone, sterling silver, tin, wool, copper, seashells, textiles, enamel, beads, yam, wire, and many more.
The theme of this year's show and sale at Global Gifts is Friendship. As a community nonprofit store, Global Gifts and its all-volunteer staff have been making good friends for more than thirty years now. Creches are a specialty, but the shop's diverse inventory also includes a huge range of folk art, such as jewelry, home decor, musical instruments, toys, dolls, novelties, wearables, stationery, masks and ornaments. A show for international cross collectors is another annual Global Gifts event held every spring.
Call or visit to find out about Global Gifts' wide variety of creches-many especially made for us-and all sold for a good cause.
See details in Fall 2004 Creche Herald or email Rita Bacher at crecher@op.net.
Let us hear from you by December 31, 2004, to help make this Friends of the Creche cookbook idea a reality. All welcome. You don't have to be a member to participate.
Creche Herald
Editor/publisher: Rita B. Bocher
Contributing editor: Mary B. Herzel
Communications: Frank B. Herzel
117 Crosshill Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 U.S.A.
Web page: www.op.net/- bocassoc/ E-mail: crecher@op.net
Printed by Saint Joseph's University Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Events to Celebrate the Season
CANADA
Toronto, Ontario. Briton House. 720 Pleasant Rd. Nov 26,27 , 28 . Collection of Edith Vuchnich. mvuchnich@rogers .com.
FRANCE
French Association of Friends of the Creche presents the 4th Vallee des Santons , Vallee de la Roya in the Communes of Breil, Fontan, Saorge , La Brigue, Tende & Granile Casterino. 12 Dec-16 Jan. Varied exhibits, studio visits , sales , foods.
Nice: La Balade des santons dans le Vieux Nice. Exhibits sales, Dec 20 ; Church displays: Dec 25.
Also exhibits in Aix-en-Provence, Ades, Marseille, Aubagne, Cavalaire, Avignon, Biarritz, Cannes, Saint-Jorioz and many other cities . Information: afac.nice@wanadoo .fr.
ISRAEL
Bethlehem. International Nativity Museum. Salesian Street. Established under the auspices ofUNESCO 9am-5pm daily, including holidays. July , August, September : 9am-6pm.
UNITED STATES
Arkansas: Eureka Springs. Fridays , Saturdays, Nov 12-Dec 11. " Beyond a Dickens of a Christmas" Interactive Nativity in Ozark Mts. Nativity exhibits, music , town tours.
California: Palo Alto Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3865 Middlefield Rd. Sponsored by Menlo Park Stake. 17th annual exhibit. Dec 4-8. Noon to 9 . Free. Tel: 650-321-2016; info @christmascreche org.
Georgia: Athens. Emmanuel Episcopal Church , 498 Prince Ave. 2nd Annual Creche Festival. Dec 4: I 0-5; Dec 5: 9-4 Free. Harry or JoAnn Yates: HJYATES@aol.com.
Kentucky: Maysville. Trinity Lutheran Church , 621 Parker Rd. Over I 00 Nativities , including vintage 1950s restored life-size set. Dec 11 , 11.-6.; Dec 12 , 12-4. Tel: 606-564-3566.
New York: New Rochelle College of New Rochelle Kate Canty Creche Collection. Exhibits throughout the Castle. Dec 5-Jan 2 . Sat, Sun: 12-4; Tues-Fri : 10-5 Special exhibit of black Madonnas Christmas week For Christmas week hours : 914-654-5487 New York City
East Harlem. Three Kings Day celebration parade sponsored by Museo de! Barrio. Jan 6. 212-660-7144 ; info@elmuseo .org
St. Bartholomew ' s Church , Park Ave. at 50 th Dec 1-5. 6:30-8 :30 Exhibition and sale of Italian cartapesta and miniature creche art. Creche Herald readers invited to cocktail party Dec I. Deborah Cascini, Cascini Designs. www AngeliArt com.
Ohio: Bryan. Wesley United Methodist Church , 930 Center St. Nov . 25-28 . Thurs : 3-8; Fri.Sat:12-8 ; Sun: 12-6. Tel: 419-6333388
Pennsylvania:Bethlehem . Christkindlmarket. Over 120 Nativity scenes and craftspersons demonstrating Nov 26-28 ; Dec 1-5 ; Dec. 15-19. www.lehighvalleypa.org
Vermont: Guilford. Collection of Shirley Squires in her home. Dec 1-Jan 31 For appointment and direction s: 802-254 - 2696 or ssquire s@ sover.net.
Virginia: Williamsburg. St. Bede Catholic Church 3686
Ironbound Rd. Dec 2 : 10:30-4 :30 ; 6-8; Dec 3 : 10 :30-4 :30. 757-258-3845
Washington, D.C. John Paul II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Rd , NE " Joy to the World ." Includes collection of James and E milia Gova,n. Nov I 9-Jan 10. Tues-Sat: 10-5 ; Sun : 12-5.
A SPECIAL INVITATION TO THE LAND OF ENCHANTING NATIVITIES:
November 9-11, 2005 by Susan
Topp Weber
Santa Fe, New Mexico , is a very special destination in a very special state whose nickname is Land ofEnchantment. The emphasis on the program of the 2005 Friends of the Creche convention will be on the unique style of the region. We will stay at La Fonda, the historic hotel on the plaza at the end of the Santa Fe Trail.
After an orientation, there will be an optional motorized tour of historic Santa Fe which was founded in 1610. The tour includes a bit of history and a bit of lore as you roll past the Plaza, the Palace of the Governors , the Cathedral of Saint Francis , Canyon Road and Museum Hill .
Santa Fe boasts many excellent restaurants , and attendees can explore these before the reception at the Museum of International Folk Art. This museum, the most popular in the city, has many international Nativities tucked into two separate wings. Both exhibits will be open to us , and there will be a prize for identifying the Nativities in the exhibits.
Back at La Fonda, there will be a Manger Mart , again with an emphasis on regional styles by local artists in a variety of price ranges There also will be a "Museum" of borrowed Nativities, many by famous Southwest artists, one of whom is Helen Cordero. At a local gallery, a Cordero Nativity is on sale for $75,000! If you are not in that league , fear not. Santana Seonia of Jemez Pueblo is affordable , and she will be at our Manger Mart.
Among our featured speakers are well known santero Charlie Carrillo, and Father Jerome, a popular priest from the Saint Francis Cathedral nearby. They will speak on the Hispanic roots ofNativities in New Mexico. Cathy Chilton will speak on the repair and restoration of Nativities We shall have a panel presentation among a group of local Nativity makers which will include a discussion of Native American Nativities Many more regional topics will be covered, and our Friday evening closing banquet features local entertainment.
On Saturday, November 12 , we are offering a very special optional trip That day is the annual Feast Day at Jemez Pueblo, an hour and a half southwest of Santa Fe. A Corn Dance in honor of San Diego, the patron saint of the village , will be performed. This saint is taken by procession to the shrine at one end of the plaza where he is attended by village elders , dancers , and men, women , and children in traditional costumes. The attendants dance in front of the shrine to the accompaniment of a chorus of men with large pueblo drums .
Susan Topp We ber, Santa Fe , New Mexi co, chairs th e 2005 Frie nds of the Cr eche Convention.
FROM OUR READERS:
I've been collecting for 20 years or so and have 250+ sets. Whenever we travel, I look for sets from that area. This summer, I got a set from Bangladesh, and while in Alaska, got a clay set of the Tlingit Indians made by a local artist. A udrey Pratt, Spring, Texas
*****
Recently, I moved to a senior citizens' residence not too far from where I have lived my entire Toronto life. Everyone who heard I was giving up the house asked , " What are you going to do with all your creches?" That was one of my worries too, but the blessed YWCA where I have volunteered found a room which was under-used, and now said creches are happily living there. I also will be exhibiting my creches in my new home in November.
Edith Vuchnich , Ontario , Canada
*****
We are in the process of giving our entire collection to Greenlake Baptist Assembly in Greenlake , Wisconsin. We have sent more than 150 sets already for their Christmas dinner theater programs every December. Our collection then will be on permanent display there and we are excited at the possibility of being able to keep it all together in one location that will be available all year round.
Merrill and Elaine Luman , Columbus, Texas
*****
I have over 600 sets , and my collection had gotten too big for the house . That prompted my son, Tim, to convert half of our 2-car garage into a :finished room for some of the sets. The room is in natural :finished pine . Five shelves surround the room and are complete with lights. For background, I'll be using velvet, lace, or satin. Each year, we have about 250 people visit our Nativities so this will mean I can have some of my collection on permanent display
Shirley Squires, Guilford, Vermont
I was thrilled to receive my Creche Herald and especially see an article on Portugal. I am enclosing a check for my childhood Portuguese best friend who, I found out, also collects Nativities.
Jeanne Muhlestein, Whittier , California
Creche Herald subscription information
US annual rate: $18 ; Canada/Mexico : US $21
Other countries : US$23
Enclose check or money order payable to Creche Herald. Mail to: Creche Herald, 117 Crosshill Road Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 U.S.A.
Be sure to include name , address , telephone, e-mail
NATIVITIES AND THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
by Sue Koenig
My collection began in 1974 when I went on my first real trip abroad-to Beirut, Lebanon One long weekend , my friend and I went into Israel. We had the help ofa Jordanian who made the appropriate paperwork to slip into our passports, and arranged for a taxi and driver (at a price , of course) Going in when it really wasn ' t allowed was a bit frightening , but I just couldn ' t think of being so close to the Holy Land and not trying to visit it. We were told not to take any luggage, so I carried my purse (with a fresh set of underwear, toothbrush, etc.) and my camera bag. We also were told not to bring anything out , but I decided to buy a simple olive wood Nativity, and if they took it away from me, fine They didn ' t. That's how the collection began
From 1974 on , I traveled in the summers as I was a teacher Whenever I saw a unique Nativity , I bought it. By 1984 , when I moved to Saudi Arabia to teach, I believe I had 30 Nativities which I left on display all year round I had no intention of ever having a huge collection
But when I got to Saudi, I quickly learned that as a woman with no relatives , I would not be able to travel within the country. So, out of necessity, I became a " tour leader ," organizing groups for trips within the Kingdom, eventually branching out to other Middle Eastern countries Ultimately , I got as far away as Korea , Sri Lanka, Thailand. When I left Saudi in late 1995 , I had visited over 100 countries and brought back many Nativities It was risky to take them into Saudi , but the ones I took in were never taken away
In mid 1996 , I opened Window to the World Museum in Arkansas with about 27 4 Nativities I kept collecting ; people kept giving them to me , and by the time I moved back to Denver in 2000, I had 500. And the numbers continued to grow. The smallest, from Argentina , is in half of a pistachio shell, and is even signed ; the largest is perhaps the three-foot tall set in paper clothing from the Phillippines
When I reached about 800 Nativities , I decided to apply to Guinness Book of World Records The process required that I take photos of each set and list each with description , material , and place of origin. Once the application was sent to London, nearly a year passed before I received notification of the record and the certificate itself. There were several problems along the way-difficulty in getting responses from the London staff, temporary loss of thousands of sets of documentation , and staff changes . By the time the certificate arrived in September 2003 with a total of 87 4 sets , I already had 900 Not included in the original count were Nativity ornaments , but as there is an update once a year , I will now include them.
Recently, I had to make the decision to close my Museum , but some day I hope to see the world ' s largest Nativity museum , as I know there are so many people interested in Nativities.
Sue Koenig will be selling h er cr ec he collection and o ther artifa cts. Co ntact her at suekoenig@a o l.com o r at 303-432-1983 .
Rum and Coco-Creches
by Eileen Canty
Rum and coco-creches may not be as well known a phrase as rum and coca cola, but in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it is a common pairing, and not just because there are creches made of coconut palm parts. For example, I have a Nativity painted on half a coconut shell, miniatures with fragments of coconut shell as mangers , and a small creche roofed with a coconut palm leaf.
The two are paired because each year on the first two weekends of December, the Bacardi Rum Company sponsors a giant craft show and festival at its magnificent headquarters complex outside San Juan. Popular music stars perform, and food vendors of every sort, at non-inflated prices, share the space with hundreds of crafters, artisans, and artists. Fifty thousand people have been known to visit it in a day.
Admission and parking are free, although parking is a challenge. We arrived about an hour or so before the official opening and parked along the highway about a quarter of a mile from the entrance. By the time we left in mid afternoon, the nearest empty spots were close to two miles away. The fortunate folks in the car that squeezed into the space we vacated thanked us profusely.
There are two groupings of vendors-outside and inside. Outside, lining every path along the grassy fields, were hundreds of crafters with tables and small tents. I'm not sure how early they had come, but they were all set up and selling well before we arrived. Offerings included live and artificial flowers, pottery, paintings, santos, leatherwork, lace and embroidery, hammocks, carvings,jewelry, and the usual array of craft fair items. The crafters ran the gamut from beginners to professionals who take credit cards.
Within the gate , nicely landscaped grounds and an artificial lake border various buildings. It is here that the fair is set up-rides, food booths, stage, and several large tents for the inside artists. The latter, about 100 or so in number, are invited, better known, and more expensive, although quite reasonable compared to stateside prices.
Naturally , my main interest was nacimientos, and outside I found:
A framed Nativity painted on a feather for about $20; A Holy Family from Colombia made of dried orange rind for about $15;
A terracotta wind chime with Nativity figures for $5; An assortment of creches by a favorite artisan made of horse shoe nails and ribbons, ranging from a simple Holy Family on a wooden base with Mary sitting in a hammock to a full Nativity scene with the stable on top of a jagged wooden mountain and the kings riding camels up the slope ($15 to $100).
Inside, there was a beautifully carved nacimiento by santero Pico Nieves that I had admired at the 2002 Santos exhibit at the Museum of Art in Ponce. Although it was well worth it, I very reluctantly passed on the pricey four figures. I didn ' t pass on a glorious mosaic Nativity scene embedded in a rough wooden plank for $17 5, challenging as it was to
carry and pack One unusual find appeared to be an ivory Nativity silhouette cut into a nine inch long cross section of an elephant tusk. It was actually a highly polished section of cow bone, probably from the leg-think marrow bone ($150)). Angel Tapia arranges 1/4" thick wooden figures in shadowbox frames A minimalist scene with the Holy Family and kings cost $175 at a gallery in town and about 20% less at the fair.
For lovers of creches and kings , there are few better places to hunt than Puerto Rico. So I took advantage of our trip for the fair not only to visit some of my favorite haunts , but also to discover a few new sources. To name just one , the Museum of Art in San Juan carried among other things: interesting miniatures, some as small as one inch square wooden stables with minuscule painted seed figures (under $10); thumbnail sized nut shells (think slightly larger pistachios) with the Holy Family (about $8); framed mosaic depiction of the kings ($ll0), and small Nativity themed paintings ($30 and up).
When not traveling, Eileen Canty lives in Marion , Massachusetts
This Nativity from Puerto Rico is 12"xl3"x 7". It has a wood base , horse shoe nail figures clothed in narrow ribbon , with wire forming the rings and star. The artist is Alejandre, and his wife , Carol clothes the figures . They live outside San Juan. Collection of Eileen Canty.
Ministry Adds Joy to Charitable Gifts
by Mary Herzel
" The Nativity Set Ministry is a companion ministry that adds the gift of a Nativity to needy families at Christmas, " said Rose Fremer, founder of the ministry , and a retired teacher living in Montague , Michigan The gift includes figures of the Nativity scene, a stable , and the Bible story. The sets are distributed by churches or other organizations . This augments any standing benevolence of food, clothing, or toys to families. Individual churches fund and purchase the Nativities.
Fremer carries out her ministry by making calls on churches as she travels with her husband on his business trips. " So far , it ' s been a ' Johnny Appleseed' kind of ministry where I plant the idea , and others, with their creativity and local customs , shape the ministry to their area ," she explained.
The ministry began in Fremer ' s home church , the Evangelical Covenant in Hinsdale , Illinois , in the mid ' 90s " I felt called to do this work. Like Jonah , I dragged my feet , but the encouragement of pastors and friends gave me confidence ," she said . She remembers the annual Advent Family Night of the church, which had a tradition of service projects before Christmas . Building a stable became one of the activities Some barns were simply made with a fiberboard rectangular base , sticks or dowels for vertical support , and a cardboard roof with craft store moss glued on top. " It was always a wonderful evening, with the families building a shelter for the Christ Child, " she noted . " No carpentry skills were needed; we were looking for a roughhewn look."
This enthusiastic advocate of the Nativity is hopeful for her ministry She has a new venture this year. She is teaming as a companion mm1stry with Prison Fellowship- Angel Tree gifts to prisoners ' children Recently , the Evangelical Covenant Church , old Swedish Covenant, based in Chicago , Illinois , voted $1000 in seed money to buy Nativities in bulk and distribute to their Angel Tree churches
Fremer feels it is vital to reach young children with the message of Christmas. Taking a leaf from the writings of educator Maria Montessori who once said "the hand is the chief teacher of the child, " Fremer believes that when children set up the Nativity set, they learn through their tactile memory . " And when parents read the verses from Luke and Matthew, Christmas enters the home, " she says .
To learn more about the Nativity Set Ministry , contact rosefremer@yahoo.com .
Mary H erzel lives in Harrisburg , P enn sylvania
Collector Wins Blue Ribbon. This year ' s Cheshire Fair in Swanzey, New Hampshire , had something new. In addition to the usual carnival games , rides and livestock competitions , there was an exhibit of about 500 creches. Fair officials had extended a special invitation to Charlotte Pratt, Stoddard , New Hampshire , to display some of her vast collection . She also was encouraged to enter the crafts competition with a Holy Family she had crocheted. Her hand crafted , 10" figures above earned her a Blue Ribbon.
???? And Comments
Q. Was an evergreen always used for a Christmas tree?
A. Apparently not always. It is thought that the idea of decking a tree at Christmas came from at least two sources: the old Roman custom of decking houses with laurel and green trees at the Kalends of January, and the popular belief that at Christmas , apple and other trees blossomed and bore fruit.
Before the advent of the Christmas tree proper- an evergreen with lights and ornaments imitating and suggesting flowers and fruit--it was customary to put trees like cherry or hawthorn into water or pots indoors , so that they might bud and blossom at New Year or at Christmas .
The custom might have to do with legendary lore about the marvelous transformation of Nature on the night of Christ ' s birth , when the rivers ran wine instead of water , and trees stood in full blossom in spite of ice and snow.
PLANTS AND FLOWERS AT THE CRECHE
by Tim Goldrick
some Botanical Information to Inspire You in Your creche Setting
oranges
One legend says that Saint Nicholas of Myra flung one of his bags of gold coins down the chimney and it happened to land in the stocking hung to dry by the fire . The orange in the toe of the sock represents this bag of gold. Some say the orange is a symbol of the sun at the winter solstice. The Portuguese and the Spanish place oranges in their Nativity scenes .
Carnation (Dianthus caryphyllus)
The ubiquitous carnation is also a Christmas flower. An old legend states this plant first appeared on earth in Bethlehem on the night of Jesus' birth. The flowers were used to make head wreaths called "coronations," thus, the name carnation . Also known as Gillyflower, the Divine Flower , and Mary's Love of God
Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger)
Here is a plant that dares to bloom in the snow It is called Christie herbe (in High Dutch), Holy Night Rose, and Rose de Noel. One legend says that a little shepherdess, Madelon, having nothing to present to the Christ Child, was given the Christmas rose by an angel. This winter rose blossoms amid the snows, a symbol of God's promise, care, and love.
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)
Usually associated with autumn , it is also a traditional Christmas flower. One legend goes that when the Magi reached Bethlehem, there were many stables and they became confused. They noticed that white chrysanthemum flowers surrounded only one of the stables. The flowers reminded the Magi of the star they had been following, and so they entered the building and found the Holy Child . Also called the Oxeye daisy, Trembling Star, or Mary ' s Star.
Cyclamen (Cyclamen)
This plant once grew wild in Palestine This is one of the plants associated with Mary Since Medieval times, it has been used as a Christmas flower.
Evergreens
Since pre-Christian times , the evergreen has been considered a symbol of eternal life. It remains green when all other trees of the forest have gone into winter dormancy . Evergreens are especially symbolic of eternal life when fashioned into a circle, as a circle has no end.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Symbolic of virtue , this is one of the herbs dedicated to Mary. It was once considered a preserver of chastity. A sprinkling with lavender water kept one pure and holy.
Marjoram (Origanum)
Marjoram is symbolic of happiness. It is considered a manger herb
Our Lady's Bedstraw (Gallium verum)
This plant grows wild in Palestine, and was routinely used in stables. It must have been present in the stable of Jesus ' birth . One legend says that it once had white flowers , but they turned to gold at the birth of the Christmas Child Bedstraw is known as cradle grass in Sweden.
Pine (Pinus)
This is a tree that is said to have sheltered the Holy Family on its flight into Egypt. The family looked first to the poplar tree, but it refused them hospitality. It was condemned to quiver and quake in every breeze The pine welcomed them under its branches . As proof, cut a pine cone lengthwise and there you will see the handprint of the Holy Child
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Associated with the birth of Jesus because of its star shaped red flowers. It was brought to the United States by our first ambassador to Mexico , Doctor Joel R. Poinsett, and immediately became popular among the Victorians One legend says that a poor Mexican shepherd boy, having no gifts to present at Bethlehem, stopped on his way to the manger and gathered a handful of weeds. When he presented them, they had turned into the lovely brackets of the poinsettia.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus ofjicinalis)
This Christmas evergreen flourishes on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In full bloom, it is covered with tiny blue flowers-thus giving the plant its literal Latin name Rosmarinus or "dew of the sea " An old legend says that the flowers of the rosemary were originally white , but they changed to blue in honor of Mary who , one day, happened to hang her blue mantle on a nearby rosemary bush
Sage (Salvia ofjicinalis)
This herb is symbolic of immortality It is considered a manger herb
Yew (Taxus)
It has dark green luxurious foliage , but it is symbolic of death . Yew traditionally never is used at Christmas .
Copyright by Tim Goldrick, Fr e etown, Ma ssachu s etts.
A Book for all Ages Review by
Judith Davis
A book without a single printed word? A story told only through miniature drawings?
Illustrator Peter Collington is very adept at this form of "literature." In A Small Miracle (Alfred A Knopf, New York, 1997), an old woman-obviously poor, tired , cold , and hungry-goes out to earn some money by playing her accordion on a street corner. On her way, she trudges through the snow and passes a church where a Nativity scene is being set up. She reaches the corner and plays People pass without pausing. She exchanges her accordion for money at a local shop At that point, a robber on a bicycle grabs her wallet, then steals the alms bucket from the church. The old woman succeeds in grabbing the bucket from the robber , but when she enters the church, she sees that the Nativity figures have been scattered about. She returns the figures to their places , then starts home through the falling snow . Finally reaching home, she collapses.
At this point, the story takes a charming and decidedly Nativity- related turn for an appropriately happy ending. This is a story for all ages , but Nativity enthusiasts probably will enjoy it more than most.
Judith Davis lives in El Cerrito, California.
Quebec Village Features Nativity at 225 th Anniversary by
Mary H erzel
A Nativity was at the heart of the 2004 exhibition , "L 'e glise se racont-The Church Tells Its Story" to celebrate the 225 th anniversary of the Church of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli , a Canadian church and town on the edge of the Saint Laurence River. The creche, featuring 27 carved figures of people and animals in linden wood, was the combined efforts of seventeen wood sculptors from this famous wood carvers ' village.
Built in 1779, the present church replaced a chapel built in 173 8 on a seigniorial estate. Declared an historical monument by the government of the province of Quebec in 1963, the church's interior is entirely of wood .
"Nativities in the early church were made of plaster and hand painted, " said J.A. Saint-Pierre, project leader for the exhibition "Time and a chance conversation with an old friend changed the situation In 1986 , Father Sarto Lord , then the parish priest, questioned his friend , now internationally known wood sculptor, Benoi Deschenes . Deschenes recently had carved a life-size figure of the Risen Christ with a cross on the back. Father Sarto chided the sculptor about the cross.
"Some days later , Father Sarto called Deschenes to be in the church choir for Christmas, and again chided him about the cross That annoyed Deschenes He replied, ' Father, you cannot critique my art work, but what do you think of a priest in Saint Jean-Port-Joli with a plaster Nativity scene?
"Father Sarto reflected a bit before replying, ' If you do not like the plaster figurines in the creche , why not make one in wood? '
"Deschenes didn ' t dwell on the challenge too long. He visited his wood sculptor friends who agreed to work on the project. Other carvers joined in Ultimately, seventeen volunteered to add their talents to the project and vowed to add more figures on a yearly basis . In 1987 , the Nativity was officially dedicated "
Saint Jean-Port-Joli, the wood carving capital of Quebec , is a town of 3,400 people . Its main occupations are farming, industry, wood and stone carving, weaving and embroidery work, and tourism. A wood carving school and museum are in the town French is the chief language. It is about an hour ' s driving time from Quebec City
Hand carved wood Nativity done by the carvers of Saint Jean-PortJolie for their church, 1987
Santa Fe and New Mexico Beckon in 2005
New Mexico ' s diverse geography varies from low desert plains to 13 ,000-foot-plus Rocky Mountain ranges in the north . These extraordinary conditions provide for a terrain that is classified into six of the seven life zones identified on Earth ; only the tropical zone is absent in the state.
Santa Fe , the capital of New Mexico, lies at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, part of the Rocky Mountain chain, in north central New Mexico. At an elevation of 6718 feet , the city boasts 300 sunny days a year.
During November , the time of the Friends of the Creche Convention , the average temperatures range from a high of 50 to a low of 27. Snow in not unknown during this period .
The city was established as the seat of government of the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande in 1610 , ten years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Its Palace of the Governors is the nation ' s oldest public building
Five governments have occupied the Palace : Spain, Pueblo Indian, Mexico, Confederate and the United States. When General Stephen Watts Kearny captured Santa Fe in 1846 during the Mexican-American War , the city became the first foreign capital to be taken by a United States force Two years later, Mexico ceded New Mexico and California to the United States , and Santa Fe remained as the provincial capital. The region experienced a turbulent and colorful history during its period as part of the "wild west." New Mexico became the 47 th state in 1912.
Santa Fe always has been a commercial hub. The Santa Fe Trail , which wound its way from Saint Louis, Missouri , connected the city to the East. The westward routes connected Santa Fe to northern Mexico along the Camino Real (Royal Road) or to California along the old Spanish Trail based upon an ancient land route that linked the mountain and Plains peoples with the Pueblos Native American peoples are an important grouping in the state Archeologists theorize that they came to the area 12 , 000 to 13,000 years ago. The mystique of these tribes , their unique languages, colorful dances , distinct arts and crafts , and traditions are intrinsic to the state ' s great attraction as a destination
The Native American and Spanish traditions appear in the State Flag. A yellow field and its red central symbol are the colors of Isabella of Castilla which the Spanish Conquistadors brought to the New World . In the center is a modem interpretation of a sun design from the Zia Pueblo. Four is the sacred number of the Zia, and the figure is composed of a circle from which four points radiate. The earth has four main directions ; the year has four seasons ; the day has sunrise, noon , evening and night; life has four divisions : childhood, youth , adulthood , and old age , and man has four obligations : strong body, clear mind , pure spirit , and devotion to the welfare of his people Everything is bound in a circle, without beginning or end. RBB
-J=OR ;yoarzsel-J= or.i -J=oR sorneooe ;yoa love
CRECH£H£RALDP£NDANT
logo in lustrous sterling silver
Size : about 2"
Send to:
$40 plus $4 s/h (U.S address)
Creche Herald 117 Crosshill Road Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 USA
Pendant created by Peggy Hart from logo designed by Michael Stumpf. Crafted by Hand & Hammer Silversmiths
Thi s hand carved and painted wood Nativity is by P & R . E der , Oberammergau , Germany. Collection of Joan Hamblin , Danville , Ca liforni a
AWARD WINNING SANTERO TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Charlie Carrillo, an award winning Santa Fe santero, or crafter of saints , is the featured speaker at the Friends of the Creche Convention, "Land of Enchanting Nativities," in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in November 2005. Carrillo is credited with raising the standards for New Mexico's Spanish Colonial style for the past twenty-five years. His extraordinary pieces are shown in the Smithsonian Museum and other museums around the country. His artistic quality and his outreach have inspired a whole new generation of younger santeros whose works also increasingly are entering museums .
Carrillo earned a doctor of philosophy degree in anthropology from the University of New Mexico in 1996 It was while working on an historic church excavation in New Mexico that he discovered the santo , and immediately was captivated His interest has taken him to all of the historic churches still in use, and he has helped catalog the old pieces for further research. He has numerous books to his credit.
The artist practices a traditional technique used by santeros 400 years ago He paints images on flat boards called r e tabla s or carves three-dimensional pieces called bulto s. His works are painted with natural pigments and finished off with a protective coating of pine sap varnish and beeswax .
His unique Nativities are in demand by collectors everywhere
A popular reproduction of one of Carrillo ' s Nativities has been a best seller for over nine years Conventioneers at the 2005 FOTC convention will be able to purchase a new affordable reproduction of that work. The artist has seen a sample , and says it is so well done he thought it was one of his personally crafted sets
Most recently , Carrillo has written a book called Saints of the Pueblos. For that volume , he has created traditional retablos decorated with designs from nineteen pueblos and each of the pueblos ' patron saint. When the Spanish missionaries introduced Christianity to the pueblos , the priests also assigned each pueblo a saint. On that saint ' s day, traditional pueblo dances-usually a corn dance-are performed at one end of the plaza in front of a temporary shrine holding the saint.
Carrillo will speak on the traditions of Spanish Colonial art in New Mexico and its rela tionship to Nativ ities in Colonial da ys and the present. STW
Spanish Colonial style retablo by Charles Carrillo Photo by Adrian Aragon
