The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Wee Faerie Village set in Old Lyme
OLD LYME — The Florence Griswold Museum presents “Lettersburg Junction – Wee Faerie Homesteads from A to Z and 1, 2, 3” on the grounds of museum’s 13-acre campus from Saturday to Oct. 28.
Visitors follow the Directionery, a map of Lettersburg Junction, to explore the enchanting town where faeries live in 32 hand-crafted, fairy-sized houses resembling all the letters of the alphabet, as well as numbers and vowels. This annual event has come to signify an enriching, not-to-be-missed outing for visitors of all ages.
This year’s Wee Faerie Village is the 10th anniversary of the museum’s annual outdoor creative installations. In keeping with the alphabet theme, houses might be formed in the shape of the letter, such as Arielle’s A-frame Atelier, or embellished with items beginning with their letter (think Periwinkle’s Pinecone Pagoda Palace).
Artists are selected from across Connecticut and a few from outside the state. Challenged to create their scenes using natural materials, most artists work for at least six months on their creations.
“Once I knew we were selecting letters for the Lettersburg theme, I knew I wanted B,” notes Vanessa Bunnell. “As a preschool teacher, the identification and construction of letters is very much a part of our day to day curriculum, and to bring that to life is an experience that can be shared with all different ages. It’s been a blast to brainstorm words and collect objects as part of creating Beachy Bungalow.”
Bunnell was assisted by Oswegatchie Elementary school students.
Other structures were created by students from Deep River Elementary School, Haddam-Killingworth High School, the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication (New London), and the Nathan Hale Arts School in New London, who were assisted by teaching artists from the Mystic Museum of Art.
As part of its Wee Faerie Village exhibition, adults and families with children can enjoy a month of fairy themed activities. Events include, parties, performances, book discussions, and craft activities. Many events are included in Museum admission. Visit www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org for a complete list.
C is for Crafternoons: Sundays, Sept. 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Every Sunday in October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can drop in for alphabet-inspired, hands-on projects, different one each week. This program is included in museum admission, and children 12 and under are free.
V is for Victorian Emporium Day: Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors enjoy Victorian-inspired sweet treats, music, and hands-on crafts. This program is included in museum admission, and children 12 and under are free.
Faerie Special Teas: Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, and 23, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon filled with treats and imagination. Partyers decorate a cupcake, sip faerie fizz tea, make a faerie wand, listen to a story, and then take a self-guided tour through Wee Faerie Village. $20 child/$10 adult.
The museum is located at 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, exit 70 off I-95.