Christmas Card Lane to feature larger-than-life painted panels in 22 lawns
On “Christmas Card Lane” at 302 Church St., Rikki Powell, at right, and her daughter Morgan Thomas admire “The Manger,” created by Carolyn Dodson-Grimm. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Christmas Card Lane, the next installment for Christmas Magic in Downtown Madison, will officially open on Nov. 28.
Twenty-two cards will be displayed on lawns along Church and Front streets in the historic district.
“I could not have imagined the caliber of art received, when we first proposed the idea of a Christmas Card Lane,” Shrail Heinrich said. Heinrich is president of Madison Arts Council, sponsor for the display.
“The mixture of cards include traditional, whimsical and religious,” Heinrich said. “Some cards that make you go, ‘Wow,’ cards that bring a huge smile and ones that remind you what Christmas is all about.”
Other entries on Christmas Card Lane are simple and “fun. Others are beautifully detailed. It’s a wonderful mix of designs,” she said.
MAC member Liz Cuneo worked with Heinrich to coordinate this project.
Christmas Card Lane will open at 5 p.m. on Nov. 28. The cards will be lit each night from 5 to 9 p.m. After viewing the lane, individuals can vote for their favorite card at the MAC website (artsmadison.org).
After Christmas, MAC will auction a few cards. “If you see one you’d love to have in your yard in 2015, be sure to check our website in late December to place your bid,” Heinrich said.
“The Manger,” created by Carolyn Dodson-Grimm, is in place at the Lewis-Powell House, owned by Ted and Rikki Powell, at 302 Church St.
“The arts, like historic preservation, are an essential part of our community. We hope that incorporating both will bring enjoyment and continued growth to our downtown,” Rikki Powell said. Other artwork by Dodson-Grimm is available at her Lowe Mill studio.
Heinrich acknowledged the generosity of downtown homeowners on ‘the lane.’ “MAC truly appreciates each resident who kindly agreed to host a card and make the ‘lane’ possible. This type of camaraderie makes our community special,” she said.
