Glencairn Museum's 'World Nativities' celebrates 10th year

For those who love all things Christmas, there is really nothing like Glencairn Museum’s World Nativities exhibition, which runs concurrently with the Bryn Athyn landmark’s “Christmas in the Castle” guided tour and its other engaging programs and events throughout the holiday season.

The curatorial staff works throughout the year to acquire beautiful and inspiring Nativities from artists and borrow significant pieces from other museums. Each one is carefully researched and explained, and settings for the Nativities have been created by Bryn Athyn artist Kathleen Glenn Pitcairn.

This year a miniature Nativity Workshop takes pride of place among the dozens of three-dimensional scenes from around the globe. Crafted by well-known New Jersey Nativity artist R. Michael Palan for Glencairn’s tenth World Nativities exhibition, this unique diorama focuses on the creative process. Going behind the scenes, it shows in exacting detail the influences, tools and materials employed by one Nativity artist—a figure made by Palan’s wife that bears a striking resemblance to her husband—as he works. It also displays many tiny examples of Nativity traditions from around the world, while the whole scene exudes Palan’s signature humor and joy.

“Michael’s work, and that of his wife, artist Karen Loccisano, expresses the excitement and wonder of the Advent season,” says Ed Gyllenhaal, who co-curates the annual exhibition with his wife, Kirsten Hansen Gyllenhaal.

“This remarkable Nativity workshop scene reminds us that all the Nativities in this exhibition were born in the hearts and minds of individual artists, each one employing their own unique personal and cultural perspective.”

World Nativities can be viewed daily 12-4:30pm from November 23 through January 6 (closed only December 10 & 11 and 24 & 25) for a suggested donation of $5 or as part of Glencairn’s paid guided tour, “Christmas in the Castle.”

The husband-and-wife team of Palan and Loccisano have frequently exhibited their exquisite Nativity scenes at Glencairn. In addition, this year they are leading a workshop at Glencairn, “The Art of Making Nativities,” on Saturday, December 8, from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Details and registration: 267.502.2990 or info@GlencairnMuseum.org.

Loccisano and Palan will also be among a number of Nativity artists discussing and demonstrating their techniques and creative process in this year’s Meet the Artists section of the exhibition. For details on appearances: 267.502.2990 or info@GlencairnMuseum.org.

To stay on top of all the events at Glencairn this holiday season and throughout the year: https://www.facebook.com/GlencairnMuseum/