COLLECTION EXHIBIT

Creche exhibit in Mesquite Historic District

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“The Epiphany: Día de los Reyes” is an exhibit sharing creches (nacimientos) from the collection of Faith Hutson and John Verploegh, including creches from their world travels.

The exhibition will be noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at 706 B S. Mesquite St., Hutson said in a news release.

A suggested donation of $4 will help increase the fund for public art in the Mesquite Historic District, Hudson said. Café de olla and Rosca de Reyes pastry will be served.

“The event is a recreation of the story of the birth of Christ through the creative lens of artists from around the world,” Hudson said. It “coincides with Epiphany, which celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the magi or kings, in other words, ‘here comes everybody.’ Most Latin countries maintain the original date of the Nativity and celebrate Christmas on Jan. 6. Special prominence is given to the kings, who are the first recorded gift bringers and the origin of many customs, including caroling plays, and the traditional pastry, Rosca de Reyes.”

The Hutson/Verploegh historic home is on the original El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, which was used 1598-1882, Hudson said.

“In Las Cruces, a portion of this trading route is on Mesquite Street, the eastern side of the 1849 original townsite of Las Cruces,” she said.

In recognition of this important trail, Hudson and Verploegh designed and made a fence of historic wheels or replicas of the wheels that traveled the trade route from wooden carretas to modern-day wheels.


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