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Stephen Daniel Conroy
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Experience the beauty, wonder, and timeless traditions of Christmas at Glencairn 2024! Glencairn Museum kicked off its annual Christmas series on Friday, November 29, the day after Thanksgiving. Visitors of all ages can enjoy a variety of holiday events, including the annual World Nativities exhibition (which includes a Seek and Find for children), daily Christmas tours, the beloved Christmas Sing Concert, a festive family holiday workshop, and much more.
“We are thrilled to present our World Nativities exhibition along with an exciting lineup of Christmas-themed events for all ages,” said Amy Glenn, Director of Education and Tours. “This year, we’re adding extra Christmas in the Castle tours each day to accommodate the high demand for this extremely popular family holiday experience. Plus, we have our popular Highlights Tour and a new Nativity Seek and Find activity for children, making sure there’s something special for everyone this season. We encourage visitors to checkGlencairnMuseum.org or call 267.502.2600 to reserve a spot and ensure availability.”
One of the highlights of this year’s World Nativities exhibition is a meticulously crafted Nativity scene by husband-and-wife artist team Karen Loccisano and R. Michael Palan, in memory of their friend Linda Weller, who passed away in 2023. Loccisano and Palan reside in Bridgewater, New Jersey, where Loccisano grew up, and Palan is originally from Northeast Philadelphia. They have both worked professionally with Highlights for Children magazine and collaborated on designing Christmas ornaments for Kurt S. Adler, Inc.
Another standout piece in the World Nativities exhibition is a ceramic Nativity scene crafted in 2024 by Armenian artist Gohar Petrosyan. It depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds, inspired by a 1262 Gospel illumination by the renowned Armenian artist T’oros Roslin, now in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. It was commissioned by Anna Akhobadze, a member of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. Akhobadze, a 15-year-old high school junior and church member who visited Glencairn’s World Nativities exhibition in 2023, was passionate about including an Armenian Nativity in this year’s exhibition.
A complete schedule of Christmas at Glencairn programs and activities can be found at https://www.glencairnmuseum.org/christmas-at-glencairn-2024.
ABOUT GLENCAIRN MUSEUM
Glencairn Museum, a National Historic Landmark and part of the Bryn Athyn Historic District (including Cairnwood Estate and Bryn Athyn Cathedral), houses a collection of religious art and artifacts from around the world and serves as a museum of the history of religion. Glencairn itself, built in the Romanesque style between 1928 and 1939 by Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn for their family’s home, was given to the Academy of the New Church in 1980 after Mildred’s death. A treasure open to the public, Glencairn Museum now offers guided tours, workshops, concerts, seasonal programs, and its popular annual World Nativities exhibition, featuring outstanding examples of Nativity art. For more information about the Museum visit www.GlencairnMuseum.org, call 267.502.2600, or email info@GlencairnMuseum.org.