December means something unique to people of different faiths.
But there’s one thing that occurs to those of any belief system can celebrate — the start
of winter.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art will have its annual Winter Solstice event from 5 to
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8:30 p.m. today. As one of four community days conducted throughout the year, the free winter solstice party will feature activities for people of all ages to help recognize the season as they see fit.
Scott Stulen, curator of special events at the museum, explains what to expect at this year’s celebration.
What is the purpose
of this event?
It’s become a community day, where we do free programming and utilize the whole campus. Many of these days are thematic around times of the year.
Why hold this around the winter solstice?
The four anchor community days we do are the two solstices and the two equinoxes. It’s a nice way to use that solar clock as a calendar to build these programs around.
What is the tone of this event?
Since the winter solstice one falls during the holiday season, it tends to be very winter-themed and holiday-themed.
How will this play into some of the museum’s existing holiday events?
The Lilly House is always decorated for the holidays. We’ll have the campus lit up with luminarias and holiday decorations. We’ll go to the Lilly House and the greenhouse and the main museum, with shuttles taking people back and forth if they don’t want to walk in the cold.
What are some of
these activities?
We’ll have live reindeer, though no guarantees that they’ll fly. Indiana Ice Studio will be doing chain saw carving with blocks of ice, so people can watch some ice sculptures live. We’ll have fire pits around so people can warm up.
What kind of music will be featured?
Dickens Christmas carolers will be there, dressed in Victorian outfits to do carols and sing-alongs throughout the campus and in the Lilly House. Also, Andrew Moore of Circle City Steel will be playing an upbeat holiday mix with the steel drum.
Why is this something that people should check out?
It’s become kind of a tradition. The (Indianapolis Museum of Art) has a beautiful campus and particularly during the holidays, it’s a great chance to come and see it all lit up.
— Ryan Trares
