Art & Faith of the Crèche: 20th Anniversary Celebration
Coming Soon to LUMA: December 3–23, 2025
.jpg "A detailed miniature nativity scene set in front of model Chicago landmarks, including a cathedral resembling Holy Name Cathedral, the Water Tower, and modern skyscrapers. Tiny figurines")
A Beloved Holiday Tradition Returns!
For twenty years, the Loyola University Museum of Art has invited visitors to experience the beauty and meaning of the Nativity through Art & Faith of the Crèche. This annual holiday exhibition transforms LUMA’s galleries into a celebration of art, craftsmanship, and the spirit of the season.
In this 20th Anniversary year, Art & Faith of the Crèche honors the legacy of James and Emilia Govan, whose extraordinary collection of Creches from around the world continues to inspire reflection and connection across faiths and cultures.
About the Exhibition
Each December, Art & Faith of the Crèche presents an array of handcrafted Nativity scenes, sculpted from wood, clay, glass, and fabric, representing artistic traditions from more than thirty countries. The exhibition explores how artists around the globe interpret the Nativity story through their own cultural lenses, blending local materials and symbols with timeless themes of family, peace, and hope.
This year’s presentation includes highlights from the James and Emilia Govan Crèche Collection, generously gifted to LUMA in 2013. The Govans’ decades-long commitment to collecting Crèches from diverse communities has created one of the most distinctive and inclusive Creche collections in the United States.
Among the collection’s most celebrated works is the “Chicago Nativity” by R. Michael Palan, commissioned for The James and Emilia Govan Crèche Collection. This beloved piece has been exhibited at the Vatican Museums in Rome, symbolizing Chicago’s contribution to global artistic dialogue and faith expression.
Visitor Information
Dates: December 3–23, 2025
Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: $5 or a donation of new or gently used winter clothing.
All clothing donations benefit local organizations.
Location: Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA)
820 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Special Programs
Celebrate the season through performances, family activities, and community gatherings inspired by the Crèche tradition. From carols in the galleries to a special lecture on the cultural history of the Nativity, each event highlights the spirit of generosity and joy that defines this exhibition.
See our Programming Page!
Gift Shop Now Open!
Spread holiday cheer by purchasing themed items celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Art & Faith of the Crèche at our on-site gift shop.
We hope to see you soon!
A Beloved Holiday Tradition Returns!
For twenty years, the Loyola University Museum of Art has invited visitors to experience the beauty and meaning of the Nativity through Art & Faith of the Crèche. This annual holiday exhibition transforms LUMA’s galleries into a celebration of art, craftsmanship, and the spirit of the season.
In this 20th Anniversary year, Art & Faith of the Crèche honors the legacy of James and Emilia Govan, whose extraordinary collection of Creches from around the world continues to inspire reflection and connection across faiths and cultures.
About the Exhibition
Each December, Art & Faith of the Crèche presents an array of handcrafted Nativity scenes, sculpted from wood, clay, glass, and fabric, representing artistic traditions from more than thirty countries. The exhibition explores how artists around the globe interpret the Nativity story through their own cultural lenses, blending local materials and symbols with timeless themes of family, peace, and hope.
This year’s presentation includes highlights from the James and Emilia Govan Crèche Collection, generously gifted to LUMA in 2013. The Govans’ decades-long commitment to collecting Crèches from diverse communities has created one of the most distinctive and inclusive Creche collections in the United States.
Among the collection’s most celebrated works is the “Chicago Nativity” by R. Michael Palan, commissioned for The James and Emilia Govan Crèche Collection. This beloved piece has been exhibited at the Vatican Museums in Rome, symbolizing Chicago’s contribution to global artistic dialogue and faith expression.
Visitor Information
Dates: December 3–23, 2025
Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: $5 or a donation of new or gently used winter clothing.
All clothing donations benefit local organizations.
Location: Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA)
820 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Special Programs
Celebrate the season through performances, family activities, and community gatherings inspired by the Crèche tradition. From carols in the galleries to a special lecture on the cultural history of the Nativity, each event highlights the spirit of generosity and joy that defines this exhibition.
See our Programming Page!
Gift Shop Now Open!
Spread holiday cheer by purchasing themed items celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Art & Faith of the Crèche at our on-site gift shop.