Advent calendar turned into community installation art

A group of WoodcliffUnited Church amateur elves are growing theircommunity, one drawer at a time.

That's because the southwest Calgary church has turned the concept of a Christmas countdown into an interactive art installation.

They've built a gigantic Advent calendar out of a collection of donated armoires and dressers, and filled the drawers with an assortment of treats, crafts, handmade gifts, ornaments and other holiday-season delights that are free for anyone who wants one.

The whole idea is to reach out to the community, said WoodcliffUnited's SheriBolitho,in an interview with the Calgary Eyeopener.

"Each of the drawers were outfitted with 50 to 75 things that were created by dozens of congregants making things like little handmade tuques andthings like that," saidBolitho, children's ministryco-ordinator for the church.

"The goal was that people walking by would access this."

An Advent calendar is a seasonal calendar used to count down the days to Christmas. This one has been on display for 13days now, since the start of December, and will be on display in the church parking lot through Dec.24.

Repurposingthe armoire

The dressers and armoires that formed the installation camefrom donors found on Kijiji and Craigslist.

Each day at 7 a.m., a different drawer is unlocked on the installation. The drawers are filled with a variety of craftsand other holiday-themed items.

According to church volunteer Alan Main who refers to himself as Elf 27 there were challenges involved in the construction.

"Challengesprobably included figuring out how to keep the doors locked until we're ready to have them open on a particular day," he said.

"And some of the drawers are divided into compartments within each drawer so that they can be used for more than one day."

Connecting community

The holiday surprises are the church's way of reaching beyond its congregation, Bolitho said.

"For me, it's the connection to the greater community," she said.

"Woodcliff really focuses on outreach, and being part of the wider community. Not just the church inside of its doors.

"This felt like a really small way to make a big difference to the people in our Woodcliff community."

For Woodcliff'sminister, Rev.Eric Page, the positive response to the initiative is an affirmation of his team's willingness to think outside the boxwhen it comes to innovative ways to interact with the community.

"It was an intensely creative idea and a great way to have the community be involved in some of the work we're doing here at Woodcliff," Page said.

Who's stopping by?

According to Elf 27, it's the whole neighbourhood.

"You know, dog walkers or runners or folks who actually make a special trip. [They've]kind of found out about it and come by to see what little treasures are available today. So it's been really positive," Mainsaid.

"We've been really happy with it. It's doing really well. We're really happy to bring a little spark of joy for the community."

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With files from theCalgary Eyeopener.