OJAC plans DIY workshop

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though the popular puppet shows at the Old Jail Art Center will not take place this year, the Christmas season is in full swing at the museum, and the OJAC education department has plenty of things planned for local families and their visitors.

Special activities for December include a DIY Drop In Gift Workshop and an upcoming family festival on Dec. 17.

DIY Workshop

From Dec. 1-15, the OJAC will set up stations for patrons and guests to create personalized gifts that will be priced between $3 and $10, including such items as a hot cocoa vial and an angel ornament.

There will also be a free gift wrap station so that local shoppers can stop by and fashion beautiful and festive packages.

The tables will be located in the Stasney Center, and will be available during regular hours Dec. 1-3, Dec. 6-10, and Dec. 13-15, according to OJAC education programs coordinator Kirsten Hahn.

Normal operating hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Family Festival

“Swedish Jul” will highlight Christmas celebrations in Sweden on Saturday, Dec. 17.

The event, scheduled from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., is the last of several special family festivals held during 2022 and every year.

Participants are invited to “explore centuries-old Swedish Christmas tradition, enjoy cultural artifacts, crafts, games, food, and music,” said Hahn.

The festival is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

Puppet Shows

Except for a year’s absence in 2020 because of the pandemic, Charlie Rose and Dan Peeler, master puppeteers from Peeler-Rose Productions, have presented their annual holiday marionette shows for county students for more than 35 years.

“Dan has to retire due to declining health, so last year was their last in-house performance,” said OJAC executive director Patrick Kelly. “We will continue to work with them on other projects though.”