Visions of Gingerbread Opens Saturday, Nov 12

Stephanie Webster

A holiday tradition returns to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center on November 12th with Visions of Gingerbread III: The Sweetest Architects exhibition.  Visions of Gingerbread is a tribute to architectural confections that truly make your jaw drop.  Created by some of the area’s finest bakers, these edible wonders will display the chefs’ extraordinary creativity and gingerbread skills.  It is the Museum’s desire to elevate these creative structures to the art form they so truly are, and put them on proper display.  Last year, CTbites jumped on board and created an entry (much sleep was lost). This year, CTbites will help judge the winner. 

The exhibition will include returning favorites, along with some new competitors. 

This year’s participants include: Sweet Lisa's Exquisite Cakes, Cos Cob; Dough Girl Baking Company, Rowayton; DiMare Pastry Shop, Stamford; Cake Suite, Wesport; Sugar & Olives, Norwalk; Izzi B's, Norwalk; Pink Sprinkles, Fairfield; Angela Mia, Norwalk; and two entries from Stamford Museum & Nature Center staff members.

“The goal of Visions of Gingerbread: The Sweetest Architects is to promote the incredible talent and creativity that goes into making structures made entirely of edible materials,“ said Rosa Portell, curator of collections and exhibitions at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.  “From tree houses to bridges, carousels to boats, the only thing limiting a gingerbread artist is his or her own creativity.”    

The creations will be juried by a panel of special guest judges at the Member’s Preview & Opening Reception on November 11, awarding first, second and third place winners. Entries will be judged in five categories: Overall Appearance, Originality & Creativity, Difficulty, Precision, and Consistency of Theme.  Entries must be constructed and composed completely of edible materials, not limited to sweets.  The main structure should be constructed primarily of gingerbread.  Visitors will be able to vote for their “Fan Favorite” both at the Museum and through an online poll at stamfordmuseum.org. 

Visions of Gingerbread III: The Sweetest Architects will be on exhibit from November 12 through December 18 in the Museum’s Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries.  The Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries are open, Monday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm; Sundays 11am – 5 pm. Their LEGO® train exhibition – All Aboard with Bill Probert and Friends II – will be accompanying this exhibition.  Two holiday treats! 

CT Bites is returning as the media sponsor for Visions of Gingerbread III: The Sweetest Architects.

Members: Free/Non-Members: Free with gate admission.  Admission Fees*: Adults $10; Seniors (65+) $8; Students (18+ with valid ID) $6; Children (4-17) $5; Children (3 and under) Free *excludes festival days & special eventsStamford Museum & Nature Center is located at 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT (3/4 mile North of Merritt Parkway Exit 35.) For more information call 203.322.1646 or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.