WEST HAWAII TODAY
WEST HAWAII TODAY
A miniature Christmas village created by island painter and Kona resident Martha Greenwell is on display now through Jan. 4 at the Isaacs Art Center at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea.
The Christmas village, affectionately known as “The Mouse House,” made its first Big Island appearance in December 2005 at the Kona Historical Society. The village for more than 20 years was part of an annual holiday tradition at the Queen’s Hospital Auxiliary’s “Festival of Trees” on Oahu.
All of the artifacts featured in the display are from the attic and tool shed of Greenwell’s in-laws, Frank and Violet Greenwell of Palani Ranch. The whimsical village has handmade wooden mouse characters in tiny settings, partaking in activities such as wreath making, cooking, sewing, and candy making. Thoughtfully incorporated are items like a horseshoe barrel, sewing machine drawer, kerosene lanterns, medicine tin and wooden Japanese bucket. It took Greenwell eight years to assemble the village.
The Isaacs Art Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. The center will be closed during Thanksgiving weekend and between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
For information or to arrange group visits, call 885-5884.