Carnegie Museum's 'Welcome This Winter' programs aim to brighten winter gloom

Nov. 2—Let's face it — winter in Pittsburgh is a little gloomy.

The Carnegie Museum of Art aims to be a bright spot in the midst of that with its "Welcome This Winter" slate of programming.

"The winter is always challenging in Pittsburgh. It gets dark, we struggle with not getting enough sun," said Dana Bishop-Root, the museum's director of education and public programs. "Thinking about your local museum as a place to rejuvenate and recharge in the winter, and meet new people, is truly the spirit of the 'Welcome This Winter' campaign."

Upcoming programs include new features and long-time visitor favorites such as the Neapolitan presepio and Carnegie Trees displays, both running Nov. 19 to Jan. 8.

"A major key the museum is focusing on is that there are so many things people return to year after year in the winter, and we're combining those returning traditions with new experiences," Bishop-Root said.

New this year is the Winter Heat Party, scheduled for 8 p.m.-midnight Dec. 9 at the facility at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland.

The Winter Heat concept grew out of an event last year, during which co-workers were invited to mingle at an Out of Office Party, inspired by the work-from-home trend.

"We were thinking about office parties and holiday parties people have in their homes, so what about throwing the ultimate holiday party," Bishop-Root said. "We want the people of Pittsburgh to bring their holiday parties to our party.

"At any given moment there could be 10 different people hosting a holiday party, but what happens if all of those people and their friends came and had a party together?" she said.

The 21-and-older event will feature dance music by DJ Arie Cole, along with drinks and a Pittsburgh Cookie Table.

Perennial visitor favorites

The presepio is an elaborate nativity scene populated with miniature figures comprising a panorama of 18th-century life in Naples, Italy. Handmade by artists in the Royal Court of Naples between 1700 and 1830, the presepio includes detailed humans, animals, angelic figures and architectural elements.

This year, the presepio will be displayed in the museum's Scaife galleries in proximity to Pre-Raphaelite paintings and sculptures that will provide context for the artwork.

Docents will be available at select times for Art Chats to answer visitor questions and to relay interesting facts about the presepio's history.

"No matter your religion or your culture, engaging in this panorama of 18th-century life in Naples gives a view of the world at that time," Bishop-Root said.

The annual installation of the Carnegie Trees in the Hall of Architecture has been the signature event of the museum's Women's Committee since 1961.

An array of towering Fraser Fir trees are trimmed with ornaments handmade by committee members, each year celebrating a different theme. The theme for 2022 is Holiday Splendor.

How the theme will be interpreted is "top secret" until the unveiling, Bishop-Root said.

"The Women's Committee members work on this for almost the entire year, so I'm sure it will be an incredibly magical experience," she said.

The tree display is enhanced on select dates by Sounds for the Season musical performances, which this year will feature C Street Brass and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra members.

The museum also offers annual holiday photo sessions, although Bishop-Root noted that most of the available slots already have been filled.

"We may add some new dates, but that is still yet to be determined," she said.

Along with the special winter programming, Bishop-Root noted that the 58th Carnegie International continues through April 2.

"After the fanfare of all our international visitors to the International, we want our local audiences to be able to spend time in it," she said. "What's so great about living here is that you can continue to experience this incredible exhibition over and over again and continue to have it as a wonderful winter experience.

"People talk about the lamps that give you your vitamin D, so I think the museum is its own place where, if you feel any sort of winter blues, it's an enriching place to recharge."

Timed tickets are required for entry to museum exhibitions. For more details on "Welcome This Winter" and other Carnegie Museum programming, visit cmoa.org.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .