History of St. Patrick explored at Galt craft event

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on March 16, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Jaelynn Zook and Logan Hollingsworth take part on the Creative Community Program Tuesday at the Galt Museum about the history of St. Patrick's Day Celebrations and learning to make a coaster inspired by illuminated manuscripts from medieval times.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Galt Museum and Archives offered members of the community an opportunity to learn about the history of Saint Patrick while creating art inspired by illuminated manuscripts from medieval times.
Janae Redgrave, community program coordinator at the Galt Museum and Archives, told the Herald on Tuesday the program is an opportunity for members of the community to come together, to visit the museum, learn some history, interact with others and do something fun and hands-on.
“We’re making a traditional craft like the kind the monks who first wrote about Saint Patrick would have done,” said Redgrave.
She said those in attendance would be able to make an illuminated artwork, which was inspired by the art created by Christian monks to decorate religious texts.
“In the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries as Christianity spread across Ireland a new form of illuminated art appeared,” said Redgrave.
She said the artists who originally worked in these books used older pre-existing designs that they had used on metal work.
“They filled the books with large ornate letters, Celtic crosses, interlacing patterns and images of humans and animals, and added gold leaves and colour to make the letters pop,” said Redgrave.
She said they are called illuminated manuscripts and one of the most famous manuscripts is known as the Book of Kells. Illustrating a large book could take years, and monks worked hard in cold rooms by the light of candles.
During the creative community program on Tuesday, Redgrave explained who Saint Patrick was and how illuminated manuscripts are connected to Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations.

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