Munroe Center for the Arts’ LexLux Illumination Night Brightens the Dark Days of Winter with Creativity and Community!
What could inspire so many families and individuals of all ages to brave the deep cold and flurries on a Saturday evening in January and gather in Depot Square? The answer, according to Munroe Center for the Arts Executive Director Cristina Burwell, is based on the community’s desire to come together and experience the warmth, light, and creativity that made LexLux Illumination Night so joyful!
About 300 people turned out for this free, community event that included:
- A community light sculpture, Brighter Ignited, by Riding Through History artist Tova Speter and Emily Bharvava. This super-sized, interactive piece, reminiscent of the classic Lite Brite childhood toy, invited people to select their own colorful pegs and images to add to the unique sculpture’s design.
- LED spirograph portraits by Imaginoor Photography’s Shehab Hossain.
Participants were invited to pose for colorful light portraits and later received a digital keepsake of the evening. - Animated projection mapping show on the Depot Building, created by the talented Lexington Youth STEAM Team Initiative, and narrated by MCA’s Cristina Burwell.
- Hot chocolate, was generously provided by The Inn at Hastings Park, and a campfire was built and maintained by local Scout Troop 313.
- And a group drone photo of a star formed by attendees with lanterns and flashlights that captured the energy and warmth of the festivities!
Burwell said “the idea of LexLux started years ago when we added colorful illumination on the front pillars of the Ellen Stone Building. People really enjoyed seeing the colors and lights there, and over the years I began thinking about how to create a larger experience. When I came to my role at the Munroe Center for the Arts, it was the perfect opportunity to consider how to expand the lights and colors that so many people enjoyed. Over the last months, several community groups, town departments, and local businesses came together and LexLux was born. The LexLux community event seemed a natural addition to the 250th celebrations and one that was embraced by the team of community partners. And it was such a fun way to announce the two weeks of illuminated buildings around town that followed.”
The LexLux kick off event, as well as the two weeks of illuminations on several buildings from East Lexington to Worthen Road, would not have been possible without the support of several community partners: ArtWalk, Chinese American Assoc. of Lexington (CAAL), Indian Americans of Lexington (IAL), Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington Historical Society, Lexington Lyceum, Lexington 250th Celebrations, Lexington Tourism, LexArt, New Legacy Cultural Center, and Troop 313 Scouts. The project was funded in part by both the Lexington Council for the Arts, a local agency, supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
“Our hope is to make LexLux an annual program each winter and to add more illuminated locations and artists to the team,” said Burwell. “We’re thrilled with the community’s enthusiasm and interest, and can’t wait to start hatching a plan for next year!”
LexLux is just one of the community events that the Munroe Center for the Arts hosts for the public to enjoy. Visit munroecenter.org to learn more about the community arts center’s classes, workshops, events, and collaborations going on throughout the year.