Exhibition “Presepios de Lapinha”

Only two more days left to view this exhibit of Portuguese traditional sea-themed nativity scenes made by local artisans!  The first lapinhas were made by nuns in convents in the 17th century in S. Miquel, Azores.  They were decorated with miniature shells, artificial silk flowers, feathers, fish scales, wax, papers and cotton, and the focus were the clay figurines that represented the Holy Family.  Local artisans continue this long tradition.  Last year, the Casa dos Acores  New England sponsored an artisan to travel to Providence to teach a class.  The presepios de lapinha on display in the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives through December 13, 2012 were made by women in this class.