This season, our Ballroom shines even brighter thanks to the creativity of eight inspiring organizations: Art Goes to School of Delaware Valley, Bellefonte Arts, Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School, The Main Line Art Center, Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett, Sarafina Fiber Art, Inc., The Garage Youth Center, and Woodmere. These gems within our communities have created radiant ornaments that celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our arts community. What awaits you in our Ballroom is pure inspiration, individuality, and creative expression, reminding us that when we come together to create, the result is nothing short of brilliant. Read on to discover each organization’s story, what inspired them, and how they crafted these remarkable ornaments.
Art Goes to School of Delaware Valley
Art Goes to School of Delaware Valley (AGTS-DV) is a volunteer-driven art appreciation program that makes art accessible in the classrooms of local schools and partner centers. Its dedicated volunteers, who include community members, chapter residents, parents, teachers, and retirees, bring art reproductions (portfolios of up to 20 different artworks) to the classroom. These art reproductions include anything from prehistoric paintings to modern art, and artworks and artists that are local, national, and international. These works span from ancient cave paintings to modern masterpieces and include artists and styles from around the globe: Ancient, European, American, African American, Native American, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and African traditions. AGTS-DV currently operates in 30 school districts across southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, inspiring curiosity and creativity in thousands of students each year.
All AGTS-DV volunteers were invited to create ornaments for their Ballroom tree. Together, they crafted ornaments inspired by artworks from their current and past portfolios. Their ornaments depict stained glass windows to framed miniatures and reinterpretations of famous artworks, as well as doves and stars, trees to kimonos, artist palettes to easels, and more. Using glass, glitter, and found materials, the volunteers created their masterpieces at lively crafting parties across 25 chapters.
“Making the holiday ornaments brought new light and joy to our organization,” says Radnor Chapter Chairs Lucy Madden and Dawn Ryan. “It energized our members, encouraging them to share their passions and talents.”
Members of the AGTS-DV Norristown Chapter gather for a crafting party, making paper ornaments. Photo provided by Art Goes to School of Delaware Valley.
Many of the ornaments are inspired by famous artists and artworks, such as The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. Photo by Katie Testa.
Other pieces that inspired ornaments include American Gothic by Grant Wood, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer, and more. Can you spot them all during your next visit?
Bellefonte Arts
Bellefonte Arts is a volunteer-led organization that brings together people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders through a shared love of creativity. This collective of approximately 40 local artists and artisans offers a place where these artists can gather, sell their work, provide education, participate in events, and support each other. They serve the local Bellefonte community and surrounding greater Wilmington, Delaware area.
All of the artists of Bellefonte Arts had the opportunity to create ornaments for our Ballroom that represent their style of artwork and express their creativity. Bellefonte hosted craft nights to make ornaments together and creatively brainstorm ideas and techniques. The result: more than 360 ornaments in a variety of mediums, including vintage components, needle craft, upcycled items, mixed media, mosaic, ceramics, paintings, pen and ink, paper craft, bead and wire weaving, tie dye, needle felted, crochet, macrame, and more.
Fiber artist Charlese Philips collaborated with fellow Bellefonte Arts member Marsha Minutella of Marsha Neal Studio to craft a beautiful hand-spun garland. Minutella dyed the sheep curls and Philips spun the fiber using self-taught techniques and her electric spinner to create 32 yards of jewel-toned garland. Look closely and you’ll see the garland is wrapped in embroidery thread, Angelina fiber sparkers, and dyed feathers. Photo by Bellefonte Arts Education and Events Coordinator Marsha Minutella.
A unique variety of ornaments made by tie dye artist and Bellefonte Arts Volunteer Holly Whitney. Looking to creatively translate tie dye to ornaments, Whitney dyed a shirt in a rainbow gemstone color palette, made fabric wrapped gift box “presents”, and filled tiny strips of fabric in clear balls. She even got her daughters in on the crafting fun! Photo provided by Bellefonte Arts Events Coordinator Kara Hinson.
“This was a great way for some of our artists to make work that may push them out of their comfort zone by working at a smaller scale,” shares Bellefonte Arts Owner Valerie White, Education and Events Coordinator Marsha Minutella, and Events Coordinator Kara Hinson. “With over 35 artists, there are a lot of materials and techniques used. The conversations between artists scaling their work to ornament size, mediums to use, how many to make, showing off their work, has been a great way to bring our community of artists together on a project. Artists that tend to be creative in their own space were able to open up and join the conversation.”
There are so many ornaments that tasked artists to think outside the box and follow their inspiration—like this wire spiral by artist Nancy Butler. Photo by Cathy Matos.
Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School
Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School in the School District of Philadelphia prepares students for environmental and agricultural careers through hands-on learning and real-world experience; this helps students develop their individual potential to become environmentally conscious, productive, and successful in their chosen fields of study and careers through the lens of environmental science.
Their ornament-making project was led by 12th graders who planned, designed, and produced the majority of the ornaments. Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 helped with production. To find inspiration for their handmade ornaments, students looked to the stars. “Our ornaments are based on a theme that our class came up with collaboratively: celestial jewels and gems,” shares Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School Art Teacher Danielle Farley. “We were thinking about the stars, sun, and moon, and how they shine brightly in the night sky, just like jewels and gems. When we were researching inspiration, we were really drawn to the celestial decor that was popular in the 1990s.”
“We wanted our ornaments to shine bright like diamonds in the sky”, says Farley. “So, we chose to make ornaments that highlight the beauty and brilliance of outer space with materials that sparkle.” Photo by Amy Simon Berg.
“All of our ornaments were carefully planned and designed with an eco-conscious mindset,” says Farley. “We used recycled cardboard, repurposed fabric, and aluminum that can be recycled.” Photo provided by Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School.
“We want Longwood's guests to notice the variety of materials and creative processes that we used, as well as our attention to detail with each ornament,” says Farley. “We loved working with the sparkly and metallic materials that we chose. We also loved the creative freedom we were given. To see the project through from the idea generation phase until the end was really rewarding.”
Lankenau’s creations can inspire you to create your own ornaments at home with recycled and secondhand materials. Photo by Amy Simon Berg.
The Main Line Art Center
The Main Line Art Center inspires and engages people of all ages, abilities, and economic means in visual art through education, exhibitions, and experiences. As a non-profit community arts center, it serves as a destination for discovering, creating, experiencing, and sharing visual art, while providing opportunities for personal growth and joy.
For their Ballroom ornaments, The Main Line Art Center was inspired by famous artists—and the theme of their ornaments is the “Twelve Artists of Christmas”. Their tree highlights 12 different artists with each ornament a festive reinterpretation of their famous works or signature style. Those artists include Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama, Pablo Picasso, Barbara Kruger, Vincent van Gogh, Faith Ringgold, Alexander Calder, Gustav Klimt, Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald, and Niki de Saint Phalle.
“I hope guests will recognize some of their favorite artists or works of art when they see our ornaments,” says Main Line Art Center Co-Executive Lisa Visco Getz. “I hope they'll take the time to look carefully at the ornaments and discuss with their friends, family, and other guests what artists or artworks they think are represented by each ornament.”
The Main Line Art Center’s ornaments are made from a wide variety of materials and techniques, including clay, papier mâché, paint, fused glass, collage, wire, and more. This one is a mosaic angel. Photo by Cathy Matos.
Clay was also used to make a variety of ornaments. Photo by Katie Testa.
The Main Line Art Center Co-Executive Director Ariel Edwards makes a fused glass ornament. Photo provided by The Main Line Art Center.
“We wanted to involve our entire community in the creation of our ornaments,” says Getz. “We had students from our Accessible Art programs, community partners, volunteers, teaching artists, local artists, and MLAC staff and students make ornaments for our tree … seeing artists of all ages and abilities express themselves creatively and help and support one another is what the magic of the holidays is all about!”
Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett
Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett serves Latino families with free educational programs and events for all ages. Their mission is for kids to think clearly and write with clarity, and their pantry nourishes hundreds with fresh, culturally familiar food. Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett after-school students in grades 1 to 8 created most of the ornaments, along with some help from volunteers.
“We wanted to represent the vibrancy and creativity of the Latino community,” shares Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett Program Director Yakquelin Garduno. Students created eye-catching ornaments: glittering flags and gem-studded national animals, whimsical felt Frida Kahlos, bold Mighty Writers logos, and sparkling hearts.
Many of the tree’s ornaments pay homage to Frida Kahlo. Photo by Katie Testa.
National animals, such as the Mexican eagle, the Guatemalan quetzal, the macaw from Honduras, and the turpial from Venezuela, were sculpted by hand using newspaper and masking tape. Photo by Carol DeGuiseppi.
Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett after-school students in grades 1 to 8 crafted most of the ornaments along with help from volunteers, who showed the kids how to papier mâché. Many parents also got involved at family night events, cutting, painting, and gluing ornaments. Photo provided by Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett.
“We want (those who see our tree in the Ballroom) to feel joy, a sense of family, and pride,” says Garduno. “Each piece was created with joy, built by a child's hands with the excitement of Christmas to proudly show where they're from.”
“I love the teamwork, seeing kids, staff, volunteers, and parents come together to finish our ornaments piece by piece,” says Garduno. “I also loved seeing the kids' excitement when they found out their work would be displayed at Longwood.”
Sarafina Fiber Art, Inc.
Sarafina Fiber Art, Inc. supports a global community of fiber artists, fostering creativity and community through online resources that make fiber art accessible and enjoyable for everyone. They specialize in needle felting supplies, the perfect fibers for needle felted sculpture, instructional kits, and original Sarafina tools.
Their Ballroom tree is adorned from handmade needle-felted ornaments that come from around the world, even as far as Australia. The result is a showcase of collective creativity.
Ornaments were created using mainly needle felting techniques, sculpting and shaping wool by interlocking the wool fibers using barbed needles. Here, doves and cardinals take shape. Photo provided by Sarafina Fiber Art Inc.
Ranging from small sleepy mice to charming birds to elaborate creatures and figures, the Sarafina community ornaments showcase the joy and versatility of needle felting. Photo by Amy Simon Berg.
“We wanted the ornaments to represent the shared Sarafina community by basing them on our hundreds of online tutorials,” says Sarafina Fiber Art, Inc. Owner Sara Jo Renzulli. “Yet, each artist has imbued their ornaments with their own creative vision and style.”
One of the beautifully made cardinals on display. Photo by Amy Simon Berg.
“The incredible outpouring of generosity (from our community) overwhelms me,” says Renzulli. “My favorite aspect of participating as a group was seeing the teaching and inspiration that I have shared over the years, coming back to us hundred-fold. Needle felting is a wonderful medium full of therapeutic benefits, creative possibility, and endless potential. I can speak for all who participated when I say that it is enjoyable on multiple levels. I hope this shows in the resulting tree!”
The Garage Youth Center
The Garage Youth Center brings students together, fostering diversity, service, and respect within the community. They inspire youth to lead, achieve academically, and participate in meaningful, enjoyable experiences. Embracing both learning and fun, The Garage Youth Center assists students in successfully graduating high school and preparing for higher education or gainful employment, all while also channeling their youth and engaging in creative activities.
The Garage Youth Center’s ornaments were inspired by the center’s signature colors and shapes … made into gemstone form to reflect Longwood’s shimmering A Longwood Christmas theme. “This year's tree was the result of a collaboration among over 100 participants across the Avondale and Kennett school districts,” shares The Garage Youth Center Social Media Manager Kati Tena. “Starting in the summer, students and staff first brainstormed together to come up with a unique theme. After landing on gemstones, participants—including students, staff members, parents, and volunteers—got to work creating a rainbow's worth of dazzling ornaments out of two simple materials: beads and foam. Some of the ornaments even feature crystals the students grew themselves as part of an after-school STEAM activity!”
Students created ornaments with recycled foam, donated beads, recycled aluminum cans and hairstyle foils, and resin. Here, hand-placed beads bejewel an ornament. Photo by Cathy Matos.
The students at The Garage Youth Center worked together to create the ornaments with some help from their parents. Photo provided by The Garage Youth Center.
Woodmere
Woodmere's mission is to inspire creativity, learning, and self-expression through experiences with the art and artists of Philadelphia and the region. Their handmade ornaments were inspired by their current exhibitions—which include a new jewelry vault in the now-open Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art & Education; the Founder’s Collection; and the Soul, Sound, and Voice: The Art of Jerry Pinkney exhibition, showcasing master watercolorist and internationally renowned illustrator Jerry Pinkney.
Ornaments created by Woodmere include miniature framed works of art. Photo provided by Woodmere.
Woodmere also used colorful, embossed tin to make charming and festive ornaments like this one! Photo by Cathy Matos.
During the summer, Woodmere invited their local community to join them for a free "Christmas in July" ornament-making workshop in their art studio. Photo provided by Woodmere.
The most inspiring thing about making these ornaments? “The community building aspect and how seeing and making art can offer respite and inspiration,” shares Woodmere Director of Marketing & Communications Amy Ferracci.
Our Ballroom trees await. Photo by Hank Davis.
We’re so grateful for the incredible work that was put into the Ballroom ornaments this year—and we’re honored to showcase all that these incredible organizations represent. “The community trees add a very special touch to the display,” shares Longwood Associate Director of Display Design Jim Sutton. “You can see all the thought and care that went into creating them.” Don’t miss these exceptional works of art, this celebration of community, during your next visit.
