Presents of Mind

The Everson celebrates the season with three weeks of Snow Days

The holiday season is upon us. You’re buying the family tree, putting up the decorations, getting last-minute gifts. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for all involved— except your wallet. Let’s face it: there’s really no way to avoid the expense of the holidays. Any free activity is a good activity, and this year that includes the inaugural Everson Snow Days.

“Everson Snow Days is our latest community-oriented program that we’re offering,” says Sarah Massett, public relations director at the Everson Museum of Art. Everson Snow Days is a series of indoor winter events starting Dec. 17 and running through Jan. 2, all taking place at the Everson, 401 Harrison St.

The highlight of the event is a work of art that intends to astound children and adults alike: the Eco-Igloo. “The theme really came up because we wanted to create a sculpture that would be interactive,” says Massett. “The igloo is going to be completely constructed out of plastic milk jugs.” The Eco-Igloo will occupy the Everson’s Rosamond Gifford Sculpture Court and will be brought to life with LED Christmas lights. After checking it out, visitors can take photos with penguin cutouts.

The Everson Museum is currently collecting their “ice blocks” from local schools and coffee shops, as well as accepting donated gallon milk jugs from museum visitors. “It really is going to be built from contributions from our whole community,” says Massett. The goal is to have 1,000 milk containers by the first day of construction, Dec. 12.

In addition, children are invited to come to the Arctic Art Making event on Dec. 17 from noon to 3 p.m. “We’re going to be incorporating recycled materials into the Arctic Art Making, too,” says Massett. “The children will have an opportunity to make a holiday card and arctic animals out of recycled materials, like toilet paper tubes and things like that.” And the best part of the Arctic Art Making, aside from the igloo, is that it’s free.

If your family cannot make it to the Everson for the Arctic Art Making, don’t get your mittens in a bunch—just stop by the next day for the Snow Days Film for Families and Costume Contest. On Dec. 18 at 2 p.m., the museum will be screening the movie Elf—a favorite of both children and those of us young at heart—and serving cookies and hot chocolate at intermission. And what would an Elf showing be without the real deal? No, not Will Ferrell. Children are invited to come decked out in their favorite elf costume to participate in a contest to determine the best-dressed Santa’s Helper, who will be awarded a prize.

And lastly, something for the grownups: a Solstice Celebration featuring ice wine tasting, on Dec. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. So hire a sitter, and come mingle in the holiday spirits. This event costs $15 at the door, which includes admission to the current exhibit, From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America. Light refreshments and complimentary wines will be served, as well as a cash bar and live jazz music. And the Eco-Igloo will remain on display so adults can check it out sans kiddies.

Check out the Everson Snow Days with the kids and then your holiday honey. “It’s going to be a really fun way to spend time with the family and mingle with friends,” says Massett, “a great time to come down to the museum during the holidays, and get away from the hustle and bustle and just enjoy some art.”

For more information, visit www.everson.org or call 474-6064.