A Magnificent Mile holiday tradition returns with Stories of the Crèche: The Collection of James and Emilia Govan which will be on display at Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA). This Chicago favorite will exhibit crèches, or nativity scenes, from more than 40 countries and features a Chicago nativity complete with the Chicago skyline and Holy Name Cathedral. The free exhibition is open to the public from November 30 through January 5, Wednesdays through Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. LUMA will not be open December 24 through January 1, 2020 in observation of the University holiday break.

Stories of the Crèche: The Collection of James and Emilia Govan

Each year LUMA showcases a selection of crèches curated from a collection of more than 550 works created by artists from 126 countries. Donated to the museum by collectors James and Emilia Govan, the crèches illustrate the variety of ways artists across the globe depict the Nativity. Beginning with a simple Italian crèche that reflected Emilia’s heritage, the collection grew quickly as the Govans began commissioning artisans to create crèches that reflected their homeland through native flora, fauna, costumes, and architecture.