Family-friendly Christmas Creches Exhibition Returns To Alfons Gallery

MILWAUKEE - Dec. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- The season of Advent presents a perfect opportunity to enjoy an art exhibition while getting into the Christmas spirit. Alfons Gallery, 1501 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, is continuing the long-standing commitment of the School Sisters of St. Francis to the arts by presenting “The Crèche in Art and Cultures,” which opens Sunday, December 7, and continues through Sunday, January 11, 2015.

“This exhibition underscores the diversity of artistic expression of the Nativity story,” said Valerie J. Christell, Alfons Gallery’s Director and Curator.  “Crèches in styles ranging from folk art in metal and clay to traditional works in glass and glazed ceramic continue to be created by artisans of varying ages in many countries throughout the world.”

“Numerous crèches in this show originate from various missions around the world where the School Sisters of St. Francis have served. Other pieces are on loan from local collectors,” Christell said. “The University of Dayton Marian Library’s gracious assistance with documentation from their International Collection made it possible for Alfons Gallery to include additional images of and background information about the crèches that came from our sisters’ mission locations.”

The exhibition also features Christmas-themed pieces created by the School Sisters of St. Francis artists, some of whom were born as early as 1876.  A number of sisters have created images ranging in style from realistic to expressionistic, and in media from acrylic and oil to cloisonné and bronze.

“Some early School Sisters came to the community as accomplished artists, so their ministry was to continue to learn about the arts from the Masters and to share what they learned through their artistic expression.  Later, other artists became teachers, as well,” noted Christell.

“Within the School Sisters of St. Francis’ voluminous art collection, I’ve found the Nativity story made visible in a variety of styles and media,” Christell said. “Because the artworks I’ve chosen to include in this exhibition reach back to those of the sisters working in the early 20th century, they document the community’s ongoing value of art and cultures.”

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 at 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 explore cultures and advocate for social justice, peace and the environment through 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 regionally.

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 to promote a 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.