'Les Santons de Provence' at Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Tuesday, 06 November 2007 23:14

New London, CT - Lyman Allyn Art Museum announces the opening of the family favorite seasonal exhibition Les Santons de Provence on November 23, 2007, on view through January 20, 2008. More than 200 santons, or “little saints” in French, will be on display for the holiday season. The exhibition includes many examples on loan from the personal collection of Edith “Fuzzy” Gipstein as well as santons from the museum’s permanent collection.

Mrs. Gipstein is the former Director of Exhibitions at the museum and has organized this show.

Santons are hand-painted clay figurines that populate a miniature replica of a 19th-century village in southern France. Also included is the traditional crèche. Santons are at the center of an important two hundred-year-old tradition that is still maintained today in the area of Provence. Complementing the exhibition are seasonal paintings and sculptures from the museum’s permanent collection.

Fuzzy Gipstein will share her knowledge about Santons and their place in French culture during two slide lectures on Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, January 13 at 1:30 pm. Lecture fees are $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Reservations suggested, please call 860-443-2545 x 112.

Lyman Allyn Art Museum is a community-based museum located in New London, Connecticut. Founded in 1932 by Harriet Upson Allyn in memory of her father, Lyman Allyn, the Museum serves the people of Southeastern Connecticut and is free to the residents of New London. The Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a non-profit organization with 501(c) 3 status.

Housed in a handsome Neo-Classical building designed by Charles A. Platt, the permanent collection includes over 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, furniture and decorative arts, with an emphasis on American art from the 18^th through 20^th centuries.

The museum is located at 625 Williams Street, New London, Connecticut, exit 83 off I-95. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am- 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 –5:00 pm, closed Mondays and major holidays. For more information call 860.443.2545 or visit: www.lymanallyn.org.