Friends of the Creche Award of Recognition Recipients

At its biennial national convention, Friends of the Creche bestows an Award of Recognition on those who have contributed significantly to the fostering of the crèche tradition.

2007 Recipients at “Heartland Cradlesong” Dublin/Columbus OH

Betsy Christensen

Betsy Christensen of Ann Arbor, Michigan for her work of twenty five years of creche exhibits in her church and for the inspiration and guidance she provided to many other exhibits around the country.

Creches International

Creches International for their support through fund raising, publicity and maintenance of the nativity collection at the Marian Library at the University of Dayton for the past ten years.

2005 Recipients at “Land of Enchanting Nativities”, Santa Fe, NM

Eileen Canty of Pennsylvania

For her year-round tours of her private collection; her displays in schools, churches museums, and galleries; her donations of crèches to charitable institutions; her speaking engagements; her support of crèche artists world-wide; and her writings

Guy and Doris Monthan of New Mexico

For their ground-breaking authorship of the first comprehensive book on the Southwest Nativity tradition, “Nacimientos”

2003 Recipients at “Crèches by the Sea”, Hyannis, MA

Michel Forrest of Canada

For his imaginative crèche settings at St. Joseph Oratory and the Marian Library of the University of Dayton

Judith Fosher of New Hampshire

For her work as founding director of the Museum of the Diocese of Manchester, fostering the tradition of the crèche though exhibits, educational programs, seminars and public events

2001 Recipients at “2001 – A Creche Odyssey”, Lancaster, PA

Kevin Hanna of Connecticut

For his unique interpretation of the Nativity in his artwork entitled “Mirror of Hope”.

The piece is now on permanent public display at the Marian Library at the University of Dayton

Robert F. McGovern of Pennsylvania

For his emotionally moving interpretation of the Nativity

Matthew Powell, O.P. of Rhode Island

For his best-selling book “The Christmas Creche; Treasure of Faith, Art and Theater”