HOLIDAY EVENTS
People of all ages are invited to enjoy the magic of millions of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, view significant art exhibitions at the Stark Museum of Art, and tour The W.H. Stark House.
Shangri La Gardens invites families and friends to take evening strolls beginning Dec. 11, from 6-8 p.m., to view hundreds of new lights, Christmas trees decorated by area groups and businesses, and holiday-themed displays.
Dreaming of a Green Christmas at Shangri La Gardens on Saturday, Dec. 13, is a special day to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, make wreaths, design holiday table decorations and engage in family holiday activities. Some of the events require pre-registration and calling early to make a reservation is recommended. Call 409-670-9113 or email info@shangrilagardens.org.
Visitors to the Stark Museum of Art can tour the newest traveling exhibition, “Women, Art & Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise.” The exhibition features more than 125 objects — iconic pottery as well as textiles, metalwork, jewelry, bookbinding and historical artifacts. In coordination with the floral imagery used in some pieces in the traveling exhibition, the Museum will present “Flowering Pages: Illuminated Books of Hours.” Guests will have the rare opportunity to see an exhibition of imagery contained in hand-crafted prayer books from the 15th and 16th centuries. This exhibit will be on view through Jan. 10 and will highlight the significant ways in which flowers were used as symbols, decoration or part of a story.
The W.H. Stark House will feature tours on all floors and be decked out with holiday-themed items and Christmas décor. The Carriage House of The W.H. Stark House will engage visitors with their exhibit, “Reflecting the Times: Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco.” The exhibit highlights these three turn-of-the-century art movements and showcases jewelry, pottery and other pieces collected by Miriam Lutcher Stark. Group tours are available by request and the last tour during regular operating hours begins at 4 p.m.. To request a tour, call 409-883-0871.