“It’s the hap-happiest season of all,” and December at the Vero Beach Museum of Art is one of the best places to kick it off with an infusion of holiday fun. More than 1,700 people did just that at the 35th Annual Holidays at the Museum hosted by the Friends of the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the museum’s Education Department.
Attendees to the festive community favorite made their way all throughout the museum, enjoying community youth entertainment and holiday-themed activities. In the studios, children crafted origami ornaments and painted tiles, read books at the Moonshot Rocket, and craned their necks to see a Toy Soldier Stilt-Walker as he tiptoed through the crowd.
Musical performers included the Atlantic Children’s Chorus, Osceola Singers, Treasure Coast Strings, Beachland Little Shark Singers, Indian River Charter High School Orchestra, Vero Beach High School Orchestra and Sebastian Elementary Chorus. Dancers got into the act too, with the Studio C Dance Company, Vero Classical Ballet, Riverside Theatre Performance Apprentices and Dance Space all giving mini-performances throughout the day.
“The Museum was elated that so many families in the community came to enjoy the exhibitions, youth and school performances and art activities in the studios,” said Holidays performance and volunteer coordinator Susan Smith. “It is a huge undertaking and something that we could not achieve without the commitment of the various performing groups and their teachers, volunteer hours from docents and the Friends, local high school teenagers and museum staff. This is a wonderful event, and I am delighted to be part of this annual museum tradition.”
A long line wended its way through the Laura and Bill Buck Atrium as boys and girls anxiously awaited the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. While waiting their turn, many children took advantage of the Creative Play area or snuck across the hall to snack on Christmas cookies and lemonade.
New this year was a Holidays Around the World Scavenger Hunt, where participants searched the north Alice and Jim Beckwith Sculpture Park for eight iconic items related to traditions celebrated in other countries. Clues led participants to everything from Olde English crackers and paper crowns to Hanukkah gelt and yule logs, giving seekers a glimpse into traditions near and far.
Of course, the museum exhibits were also open for all to enjoy, and guests enjoyed meandering through the American Spirit, David Drake: Potter and Poet, Bruce Marsh exhibits as well as the Indian River Photo Club juried exhibition.
And on their way out many guests couldn’t resist having a first look at the recently renovated Museum Store, where the new layout made it easier to browse for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.