By Stephanie Peters
The Salvation Army bells can be heard outside T stations, the plaza on Boylston Street is making way for the annual Christmas Tree gift from Nova Scotia and white lights twinkle in the bare tree branches along Commonwealth Avenue: The holiday season has arrived in Boston.
Tucked beyond the superficial mementos of the holidays are lesser-known celebrations at two nearby museums.
The Museum of Fine Arts located on Huntington Avenue, outbound from Northeastern’s campus, is offering a holiday-themed atmosphere for art viewing this December, as well as a range of activities for guests of all ages.
The museum’s Holiday Kick-off takes place Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. featuring the Boston Arts Academy Senior Vocal Ensemble singing carols and an interactive theater presentation for kids by the Underground Railway Theater.
The Holiday Kick-off also coincides with the museum’s first “Citizens Bank Foundation Wednesday Nights at the MFA,” a regularly occuring, weekly event. On Wednesday nights from 4 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., admission to the museum is free, courtesy of Citizens Bank’s sponsorship, although donations are still welcome.
The museum has several events running weekly throughout December, including holiday-themed gall-ery talks, live jazz and cocktails on Thursday evenings, afternoon tea on Tuesdays and Fridays and numerous local choirs and ensembles that will be caroling throughout the museum’s galleries.
“It’s a very festive atmosphere here and the holiday carolers throughout the month create a lively scene,” said Kena Frank, public relations manager at the MFA.
Some of the local choral and instrumental groups who will perform at the MFA include Emmanual College’s Encore!, Simmons College’s Chorale, Boston University’s College of Fine Arts Brass Quartet and the Woodward Street Jazz Collective. A special performance will be given on Friday, Dec. 17 by the New England Conservatory’s 200-member Millenium Gospel Choir.
As December approaches, it is also the last opportunity to visit the Art Deco: 1910 to 1939 exhibit, which runs through Jan. 9. The exhibit contains over 240 pieces of artwork by some of the era’s greatest designers, including Chanel, Cartier and Lalique.
It is the Art Deco exhibit that Frank thinks will be the museum’s greatest attraction to the college-aged visitors.
“You can visit the Art Deco gallery to inspire your New Year’s Eve attire or stop by the hoop skirts exhibit for holiday evening gown ideas,” Frank said. “The museum is also definitly a great place for college students to bring out of town guests.”
A trip to the MFA Bookstore and Shop might also offer holiday inspiration. In addition to the standard art-themed merchandise, the museum sells Art Deco themed jewelry and home furnishings and an extensive selection of Christmas-themed decorations and gifts, including painted glass ornaments depicting some of Boston’s most popular locations.
Freshman business major Brian Kriscenski has yet to visit the MFA, but said he finds the museum’s planned events for the next month appealing.
“I think the holiday events and the current Art Deco exhibit are the perfect combination and should be really appealing to college students,” Kriscenski said.
The museum will show a collection of New Year’s themed short-films and videos throughout the afternoon on Friday, Dec. 31, however First Night buttons are required for admission, Frank said.
The museum is open seven days a week, although its hours vary and general admission is free to students who present a college ID.
Also, The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, located at 208 The Fenway, invites guests to help them celebrate the holiday season with their “Holiday in White” series of events.
Holiday events begin on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. with the Opening Night Celebration.
