Santas Are Taking Over the Stewart Museum – November 25 to January 10, 2016

A merry band of Santas will be back again on St. Helen’s Island after two previous holiday season appearances. Families are invited to discover these adorable figurines and take part in exciting activities. This year’s edition will feature a magnificent doll castle with characters that come to life to the sound of music.

Many of the Santas were handmade by such American artists as Beth Cameron, Lynn West and Lynn Haney, while others were created by Quebec artist Carole Landreville. They illustrate a fascinating aspect of doll making and show how the artistic representation of one of the best-known and loved figures in folklore has changed.

You will also see old photographs illustrating the pleasures of winter and learn about holiday season traditions.

Children will be able to take part in different activities:

• Christmas bell workshop
• Scavenger hunt for children 3 to 9 years including an ”I spy” featuring the doll castle and an ”observation games” called Santa’s vacations. The clever little ones will discover the means of transportation used by Santa around the world.
• Stories reading. The books are a courtesy of Gallimard.
• Screening animated short films: Taratata by Frédéric Back and courtesy of Ici Radio-Canada, Une vieille boîte by Paul Driessen and Hold-up au Far West by Jeff Hale.

The Stewart Museum will be open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and exceptionally on December 21, 22, 28 and 29. It will be closed on December 25 and January 1.

 

Doll castle, Rudolf Szálasi, Germany, 1976 © Musée Stewart