Family-Friendly Christmas Creches Exhibition Returns to Alfons Gallery

MILWAUKEE - Nov. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- Alfons Gallery is continuing the long-standing commitment of the School Sisters of St. Francis to the arts by presenting “The Crèche in Art and Cultures” with an opening reception on Sunday, December 8, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  The show continues to January 12, 2014.

The exhibition examines the global and cultural history of a time-honored tradition: the display of the Christmas crèche. It comprises an engaging variety of traditional and contemporary Nativity sets from across the globe.

The exhibition debuted at Alfons Gallery last year and was so popular that it was extended beyond its scheduled run. Valerie J. Christell, the gallery’s director and curator, said that this year’s display has been expanded to include more than 200 crèches ranging from large tabletop displays to some as small as one inch.

Among the Nativity sets on display will again be crèches from School Sisters as well as local collectors.  Additionally, Madonna and Child paintings and sculpture from the School Sisters of St. Francis’ extensive collection will present distinctive artistic views of the Holy Family within the Christmas narrative.

The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton (Ohio), which houses the largest international crèche collection, is again providing information about crèches from the School Sisters of St. Francis’ global mission sites.

“This exhibition presents a unique opportunity for families and individuals of all ages to enjoy the Advent and Christmas seasons,” Christell said. “We’re pleased so many people are making Alfons Gallery part of their holiday tradition.”

Crèches from around the world will also be available for sale in the Alfons Gallery’s Cultural Shop.  The Cultural Shop supports the work of the School Sisters of St. Francis’ global missions by selling works by their countries’ artisans as well as local artists.

Alfons Gallery is located at St. Joseph Center, 1501 S. Layton Blvd. (27th Street and Greenfield Avenue) in Milwaukee. Free parking is available in the lot that is accessible on 29th and Orchard (Alexia Circle entrance). For more information on Alfons Gallery, please email vchristell@sssf.org, call 414-385-5273, or visit the Gallery’s website at www.sssf.org/gallery. The Gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 12:00-3:00 p.m., and by appointment.

About Alfons Gallery

Alfons Gallery’s mission reflects the local and global work of the School Sisters of St. Francis.  Exhibitions celebrate cultural diversity and advocate for justice, peace and the environmentthrough the artistic vision.  Special events aim to both educate and inspire viewers about our world and the impact every individual makes in it.

Our Cultural Shop’s mission is to expand cultural awareness and support artisans working in our global missions as well as fine craft artists working locally.

About The Marian Library, Dayton, Ohio

Recognized as the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of printed materials on the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Marian Library at the University of Dayton aims to further study and research and to promote well-founded devotion to Mary. It is home to an art gallery devoted to contemporary religious art, especially Marian art, and to a museum focused on the display of more than 900 Nativity scenes from the Library’s Crèche Collection.

About The School Sisters of St. Francis

The School Sisters of St. Francis are an international community of Catholic sisters who unite with others to build a just and peaceful world. Founded in 1874, they now have sisters, associates, staff, donors and volunteers actively working to address the needs of those who are poor and marginalized by society. Their mission is thriving throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and India. For more information about the School Sisters of St. Francis, please visit www.sssf.org.