Crèches and Carols held Nov. 30-Dec. 2
Special to the American
Angels, a whole host of them, will gather to herald in the fourth annual Crèches and Carols nativity exhibit Friday-Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
Likely to be the largest and most diverse gathering of angels in the St. Louis area this Christmas season, the angels will be of all types and sizes from a variety of materials – porcelain, pottery, resin, wood — and representing different countries and ethnic groups, some with wings and some without, but each carrying a message of peace and goodwill and the spirit of the season.
Held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 10445 Clayton Road in Frontenac (between Spoede and Lindbergh Blvd., near Plaza Frontenac), the free three-day family-friendly community exhibit is supported by area churches and businesses that contribute more than 500 nativities to the display. Dozens of musical groups will also perform in a running program from noon-8 p.m. daily.
Lois Conley, founder and director of The Blackworld History Museum, will contribute “Black Angels” from her personal collection to the Crèches and Carols event this year. Her museum store has sold, over the years, a variety of ethnic angels in festive dress representing all occasions. This year the museum store features a striking black-foot-tall black angel in a traditional ornate dress.
“We wanted to have something in our shop that is representative of black angels, because from a spiritual standpoint angels are black too,” Conley said.
Also supporting the event is woodcarver Mamady Sidime, of Mamady Sidime Fine Arts, who will continue his carving begun last year of an angel looking over Mary’s shoulder. Sidime sets-up his carving in the African room where a variety of African crèche are donated by Plowsharing Crafts in the Central West End.
Sidime allows children a hands-on experience to work on the angel with his guidance. He was a big draw last year and returning patrons are looking forward to see his progress on the angel started the year before.
The event has regularly drawn more than 4,000 visitors, and it is not uncommon to see bus loads of youth groups from area churches. Popular with families of all backgrounds, the exhibit provides a game to seek out hidden features in the exhibit. Also featured is an art room where children can create a nativity ornament to take home to remember their time at the exhibit.
For more information about the fourth annual Crèches and Carols exhibit, visit http://stlcrecheexhibit.dns2go.com.