FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis will highlight the 800th anniversary of the first Living Nativity with an exhibition from Nov. 4 through Dec. 20.
On Dec. 24, 1223, St. Francis of Assisi staged the first Living Nativity, complete with actors and live animals, recreating the scene to cultivate the worship of Jesus Christ.
The Nativity Exhibition at the Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center will display works by more than 30 regional artists, focusing on interpretations of the Nativity as a spiritual and artistic theme. “The exhibit will feature a broad range of media, styles and approaches,” Saint Francis Gallery Director Justin Johnson said.
A reception to open the exhibit will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 in the Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center, 1014 Leesburg Road, located on the southeast side of the Saint Francis campus.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The gallery will be closed from Nov. 22 to Nov. 26 in observance of Thanksgiving.
For more information, contact Saint Francis Creative Arts and Communication, Animation and Technology Coordinator Molly McGowan at 260-399-7700, ext. 8001 or mmcgowan@sf.edu.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 18 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.