The Magic of Christmas
A Festive Holiday Celebration
November 20 through January 9, 2011
The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme promises triple the “magic” during this year’s celebration.
In the Museum’s Krieble Gallery, four elaborate Fantasy Trees evoke the magic of the current exhibition, With Needle and Brush. “A team of talented artists and designers work year round to plan and design the trees,” explains David Rau, Director of Education and Outreach. “They work their ‘magic’ by taking an intriguing theme to dynamic heights. You never quite know what to expect!”
Miss Florence’s Artist Tree
 Miss Florence’s Artist Tree is back for its seventh year with additional painted palettes, bringing the count to 120 artists from across the country who have donated works to this one-of-a-kind tradition. The 12-foot tree has become a holiday icon for the region. The idea of artists painting on palettes relates directly to the Museum’s history as the center for the Lyme Art Colony, and alludes to the doors and wooden wall panels the artists painted throughout Miss Florence's house over a hundred years ago. The palette artists’ styles and subject matter are as varied as the individuals. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, ceramics, collage, and even glass are used to transform the palettes into traditional holiday scenes, delightful landscapes, and more than a few surprises!
Designers
Matthew Greene, Visitor Relations Manager, Florence Griswold Museum
Jennifer Johnson, Glass Artist, Lisbon
Rob Kennedy and Jack Leonard, Kennedy Leonard Design, Old Saybrook
Susan Lindberg, Graphic Designer, Norwich, and Members of the
Connecticut College Camel Knitters Guild
Tom Rose, Owner Black Whale Antiques, Hadlyme
 The palette artists’ styles and subject matter are as varied as the individuals. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, ceramics, and collage are used to transform the palettes into traditional holiday scenes, delightful landscapes, and more than a few surprises!
2010 Palette Artists
Take a look at the new palettes by
Mary Avery
Angelo Franco
Paul Batch
Heather Gibson-Lusk
Catherine Christiano
David Rau
Kate Leigh Cutler
Kim Muller-Thym
Matthew Ferrer
Dina Varano
Guy Wolff
Christmastime in the Griswold House,
circa 1910
Rooms decorated by
Donna Carlson
In the historic rooms of the Griswold House visitors can see how families celebrated Christmas in 1910, as historically accurate decorations reveal homespun creativity and the use of surprising materials. The 1910 time period was an important era for the Griswold House, as it was the heyday of its use as boardinghouse for the artists of the Lyme Art Colony. Christmas was also Miss Florence’s birthday! She would have been 60 in 1910.
Twinkle Twinkle Trellises
designed by members of the
Museum’s Garden Gang: DeeDee Charnok, Bobbi Padgett, Sandy Thurston,
led by Sheila Wertheimer, Garden Historian
Museum Shop
Open Museum hours (Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm) with unique holiday ornaments, the latest, lavish art books, unusual items for kids, artful jewelry, giftworthy art supplies, and fun stocking stuffers for the have-everything and hard-to-please. Shop Online!
Holiday Hours
The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm. The Museum will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for students, and, new this year, free to children 12 and under. This includes admission to the Griswold House, Museum grounds, and all exhibitions.
Magic of Christmas Events
*The day after thanksgiving events
Friday, November 26
Bring your visiting friends and family to the Museum for the Magic of Christmas, stay for a wonderful puupet show, hands-on art-making for all and a very special shop event.
 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
$5 per person (does not include Museum admission)
Register Online
Pumpernickel Puppets Presents
The Frog Prince
Kissing a frog can lead to magic or to mayhem! Come see how Pumpernickel Puppets tells the classic tale using colorful puppet characters, audience participation, live voices and sound effects. Puppetry demonstrations after each performance. Geared for families with children ages three to ten. Afterwards, make a holiday craft in the Education Center.
 11am to 3pm
Crafted by Hand for the Holidays
The holidays are coming and art makes the best gift! Join us for a special in-store event which supports both the Museum Shop and the local artists whose works include glass jewelry, fine silver jewelry, pottery, stationery, small paintings, and more! A great time to purchase unique, quality gifts for all of those special people on your holiday shopping list.
 11am to 3pm
Creating for Christmas: Cards, Gifts, and More
Included with Museum Admission
Join the Museum Educators in the Education Center for a day of creative hands-on fun for all ages. Try your hand at making cards and art works perfect for the gift.
 *FAMILY PROGRAMS EVERY SUNDAY
Sundays November 21 through January 9
1-5pm
Joy in the Making:
A Creative Approach to the Holidays
FREE with Museum Admission
Sunday visitors enjoy 8 fun-filled weeks of hands-on holiday craft workshops and creative projects that relate to the spirit of the season and the decorations on view. For all ages!
 CHRISTMASTIME TEAS
Tuesdays-Saturdays
December 1-23
3pm
$35 (members $30)
Reservations required, please call 860-434-5542 x 111
no teas on Dec. 2 or 9
Celebrate the holidays in style at one of the Museum’s afternoon teas prepared by Gourmet Galley, a caterer known for their delicious flavors and impeccable presentations. Teas feature a selection of signature savories and sweets, and are accompanied by “Miss Florence’s Tea,” a special blend from Sundial Gardens. Teas will be served Tuesday through Saturday from Dec. 1 – 23 at 3pm. The fee includes admission to the Museum and a 10% discount coupon to be used in the Museum Shop (no additional members’ discount).
Please Note: Christmastime Teas are very popular and sell out quickly, please make your reservations early.
 Magic of Christmas Members' Party
Thursday, December 2
5:30–7:30pm
Members $35 per person
Non-Members $40 per person
Register Online
To guarantee your reservation, you must reserve by Tuesday, November 23
Contact Sarah at 860-434-5542 est. 122 for more information
Enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres and a variety of live music
sure to put you in a festive mood!
Warm up with a Hot Air Club cocktail and meet the
Fantasy Trees’ designers and the newest palette artists.
Cater to your inner elf with hands-on holiday creation stations.
Take in the wonder of the season with Miss Florence’s Palette
Tree, Fantasy Trees, and decorated Florence Griswold House.
 *Music in the Gallery
Sunday, December 5
2-4pm
(short musical sets begin at 2pm)
Christmastime with the CoCo Beaux
There’s magic in the music! Come enjoy the joyful sound of the CoCo Beaux, Connecticut College´s famous all-male a cappella group. This group will delight young and old alike
 *Puppet Show
Saturday, December 11
10:30am and 12pm
Tickets: $5 per person (does not include Museum admission)
Register Online
Santa Gets Fired: A Shadow Spectacular
Nappy’s Puppets is proud to present a new holiday classic about the many jobs S. Claus had before his current position. Santa Gets Fired is a five part miniseries by Nappy’s Puppets and will also include silly songs and shadow vignettes. This live puppet theatrical event is suitable for all ages.
 *Teddy Bear Tea Party
Monday, December 13
11am or 2pm
$14 per pair (child and adult) ($12 members); additional guests $7 ($6 members)
Register Online
A Very Merry Teddy Bear Tea Party
Share the excitement of the holidays with your little ones at this fun teddy bear tea party. Enjoy stories and crafts, yummy FUNwiches and treats. Children can bring their favorite stuffed animal.
 Gallery Talk
Sunday, December 19
2pm
The Artistry of the Artist Tree:
A Closer Look at Miss Florence’s Palette Tree
David D.J. Rau, Director of Education & Outreach
Included with Museum Admission
 *Betwixt-the-Holidays Event
Wednesday, December 29
11am-3pm
Happy Birthday Miss Florence
A Hands-On Creative Birthday Party
FREE with Museum Admission
Celebrate Miss Florence’s birthday with this
day-long birthday party in the Museum’s education center. Miss Florence was born on Christmas Day (December 25) in 1850. Come for cake and stay for a variety of hands-on creative projects that celebrate the woman who started it all. There will be a harpist (playing Miss Florence’s favorite instrument) performing in the Griswold House from 12-2pm.
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