From A Bridgewater Basement To The Vatican In Rome: Nativity To Be Showcased

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A hand-made intricate nativity crafted in the basement of a Bridgewater home by husband-wife artist team Karen Loccisano and R. Michael Palan is currently on its way overseas to be showcased at the Vatican in Rome.

"We are very excited," the couple told Patch.

Their nativity was chosen to be one of 100 nativities on exhibit from 17 different countries at the Vatican from Dec. 8, 2023, to Jan. 7, 2024, under the Bernini Colonnato, in Piazza San Pietro.

This year is special as 2023 marks the 800-year anniversary of the first representation of the nativity scene set up by Saint Francis in Greccio, Italy in 1223.

Loccisano and Palan have been crafting nativities since 2011 and have had their work showcased across the country including Pennsylvania, Connecticut, South Carolina and Washington, D.C.

However, this is the first time it is being showcased overseas.

"This is something we always strived for," said Palan. "We find as many new places to show our work and are very pleased, but the Vatican! They have 25,000 people a day visit the Vatican."

Palan became aware of the annual event "Presepi in Vaticano" over the summer. Participants are invited to enter their work through August. He went back and forth on submitting until almost the last day of entry.

Then they got a phone call.

"The caller ID said 'The Vatican'," said Palan. "They were very excited since they haven't had anyone from the U.S. try to enter their work for quite some time."

They were both surprised and very excited they won and got to work. The nativity they are sending over is one they had made before but retrofitted to be smaller, easier to ship, and assemble upon delivery.

"It is made of paper and cardboard," said Palan.

"It is like a shadow box," said Loccisano.

The original took them several years to create and the updated smaller version took a week to put together. The scene has American touches to represent America such as Joseph being dressed in coveralls and there is a sign for Route 66 in the background.

This isn't the first time Loccisano and Palan have been featured for their work. The couple actually met while working as illustrators for Highlights magazine. They eventually branched off to illustrate children's books and design Christmas ornaments for Kurt S. Adler. Read More: Bridgewater Husband-Wife Duo Crafts Exquisite Nativity Scenes

Then in 2011, the couple saw a Presepio (the Italian word for Nativity) at the Carnegie Museum of Art and were inspired to create their own.

Along with the Vatican, Loccisano and Palan will have their work and other nativities showcased at the Glencairn Museum in Pennsylvania and the National Christmas Center at Stone Gables Estate in Pennsylvania.

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