By ANDY HOGUE, Register Staff Writer
Three days into November, area merchants are already gearing up for what they hope will be a profitable, though meaningful, holiday season.
It will soon be time for the Downtown Development Association to begin its lineup of holiday-themed programs, mixing the sacred and the commercial, such as Journey to Bethlehem and Victorian Stroll, and to begin offering extended evening hours for eager shoppers.
Lynn Monden, president of the Gainesville Downtown Development Association, said Journey to Bethlehem, a multi-site human diorama of the events surrounding the birth of Christ hosted at various storefronts, is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 (a Thursday).
The next week the Victorian Stroll is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7, a Thursday. The Victorian Stroll, which was canceled due to the threat of sleet, features Christmas carolers and merchants showing their wares dressed in Victorian-era English attire.
Monden said several businesses on the downtown square, including her own, are hoping to get a jump start this Saturday by featuring open house activities.
“It’s a big deal for us,” Monden said, who in addition to her leadership of the Downtown Development Association is also owner of Vine & Branches, a Christian-themed gift and home decoration store.
As part of Saturday’s activities, Monden is hosting Burleson sculptor Cindy Burden, who designed the “Women of the Way” series available at her store.
Burden is scheduled to be at the store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and will sign reproductions of her sculptures.
Though the artist’s sculpting style with the “Women of the Way” line involves primitive scoring which is apparent up close, a step back reveals a more fluid, total composition, representing the female form in what she said are physical expressions of faith.
Some of her sculptures are of women dancing or playing instruments.
“This is how I look on the inside when I am singing at church,” Burden said, on her Web site, sculpturesbyburden.com
Raised in a denomination where dancing and musical instruments in worship is strictly forbidden, Burden said she was inspired to express in sculpture form what was not allowed while growing up.
Another of Burden’s creations is of a woman with armed cross, sitting expectantly with her legs aside her. The title is “My Prince Will Come,” which has a dual meaning.
“Many women buy them for their daughters,” said Claudia Gomes, an employee of the store. “But it’s really a metaphor for the bride, the church, waiting for the Groom (Jesus).”
In addition to Burden’s visit, there will be snacks from Edelwiess Teahaus and gift giveaways.
For more information on upcoming downtown activities call Monden at 612-1829.
Reporter Andy Hogue may be contacted at andyhoguegdr[at]ntin.net
