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Nativity scenes from abroad; collection available for viewing
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| Vast collection: Kay Whitehead has collected Nativity scenes for more than 20 years, during her travels. The retired Benson Public Library director shows her collection by appointment. (Adam Bernal/photo.) |
Adam Bernal/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
St. David resident and retired Benson Library Director Kay Whitehead has dedicated over 20 years of her life to collecting different nativity scenes from cultures and people all around the world.
During her travels throughout the world, starting in 1991, Whitehead has gathered a collection of around 150 different nativities that represent Christ's birth through the eyes of different cultures, customs and traditions.
Each nativity is created in its own unique way to represent a group of people through different art styles and available materials from each country and background. Some of Whitehead's travels have included Egypt, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium and Hungary.
"They are handmade nativity scenes that reflect a culture and lifestyle," Kay Whitehead said.
Whitehead's collection began after she received a gift of a painted clay nativity in the Pueblo Indian style. Since that time, Whitehead's collection has included nativities made from a variety of available materials from wood, clay, tin, stone, wax, ivory and precious metals.
George Whitehead said he and his wife had looked for different nativities during their world travels to not only add to Whitehead's collection but serve as personal reminders of their travels.
"We saw it as a memento of the trip as well as an art form," George Whitehead said.
Some of the nativities include Celtic depictions that look very similar to ancient stone figures found on the Isles of Mull, wood-carved nativity figures from Nigeria and Alaskan nativity figures crafted from jade.
Whenever she saw a unique nativity that fit into the style she wanted, Whitehead said she added it to her growing collection and feels lucky to have experienced many different cultures in the world throughout her life.
Whitehead is also a member of Friends of the Creche, a national society dedicated to the tradition of the nativity. Whitehead says the nativities are important to her since belief in God is a big part of her life.
"The nativities are an expression of my faith," Whitehead said.
Whitehead's nativity collection is open for public viewing by appointment only on Fridays and Saturdays through January, 1 2009. To schedule a visit, Whitehead can be contacted at 720-4773 and the display is located a half-mile south of the St. David Post Office on Miller Lane.
St. David resident and retired Benson Library Director Kay Whitehead has dedicated over 20 years of her life to collecting different nativity scenes from cultures and people all around the world.
During her travels throughout the world, starting in 1991, Whitehead has gathered a collection of around 150 different nativities that represent Christ's birth through the eyes of different cultures, customs and traditions.
Each nativity is created in its own unique way to represent a group of people through different art styles and available materials from each country and background. Some of Whitehead's travels have included Egypt, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium and Hungary.
"They are handmade nativity scenes that reflect a culture and lifestyle," Kay Whitehead said.
Whitehead's collection began after she received a gift of a painted clay nativity in the Pueblo Indian style. Since that time, Whitehead's collection has included nativities made from a variety of available materials from wood, clay, tin, stone, wax, ivory and precious metals.
George Whitehead said he and his wife had looked for different nativities during their world travels to not only add to Whitehead's collection but serve as personal reminders of their travels.
"We saw it as a memento of the trip as well as an art form," George Whitehead said.
Some of the nativities include Celtic depictions that look very similar to ancient stone figures found on the Isles of Mull, wood-carved nativity figures from Nigeria and Alaskan nativity figures crafted from jade.
Whenever she saw a unique nativity that fit into the style she wanted, Whitehead said she added it to her growing collection and feels lucky to have experienced many different cultures in the world throughout her life.
Whitehead is also a member of Friends of the Creche, a national society dedicated to the tradition of the nativity. Whitehead says the nativities are important to her since belief in God is a big part of her life.
"The nativities are an expression of my faith," Whitehead said.
Whitehead's nativity collection is open for public viewing by appointment only on Fridays and Saturdays through January, 1 2009. To schedule a visit, Whitehead can be contacted at 720-4773 and the display is located a half-mile south of the St. David Post Office on Miller Lane.
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