Institute of Texan Cultures shares family's holiday tradition with nativity display
Pribyl family nativity
Pribyl family nativity
Share this Story(Nov. 17, 2009)--In the late 1890s and early 1900s, Ferdinand Pribyl, a Czech Moravian, painted a series of nativities of immense scale, brilliant color and painstaking detail. Through four generations, Pribyl's nativities have been passed to family members and close friends. This holiday season, Pribyl's descendents have chosen to share their family tradition with the Institute of Texan Cultures, which will display two complete Pribyl nativities from Nov. 21 to Jan. 3.
Ferdinand Pribyl's nativities stretch between 8 and 18 feet long. Originally, they were measured to fill entire walls in family members' homes. The Pribyl nativities use cardboard cutout figures placed in a baseboard to add a sense of depth to the panorama.
Pribyl built the nativities from cardboard scavenged from oatmeal boxes, post cards and shirt boxes. The figures stand between four and six inches in height and are painted in meticulous detail. The backgrounds draw on Pribyl's memories of Austria. Vibrant colors bring life to lush green hills, stone buildings, earthy farmhouses and wooden sheds. Central to each nativity scene is the Bethlehem stable with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.
Presumably, there were seven Pribyl nativities, painted between the 1890s and early 1900s, each slightly different. Over the years, they have been displayed at various museums, libraries, churches and residences in South Texas.
Ferdinand Pribyl and his family emigrated from his native Moravia in the 1880s and settled in Fayetteville, Texas. They moved to La Grange and then Hallettsville, before joining Ferdinand's brother, Jan, in Victoria. In his late 60s or early 70s with no prior artistic training, Pribyl began work on the nativity scenes.
Bette Stockbauer of Victoria, whose family owns one of the Pribyl nativities, is a descendent of Pribyl's adopted son, Albert Stockbauer. She has had some success in locating other Pribyl nativities around Texas. In addition to the Stockbauer family's nativity, the institute will display a complete Pribyl nativity belonging to the Staha family of Hallettsville, two partial Pribyl sets and a two-dimensional nativity painting, all belonging to other Pribyl descendents.
The Institute of Texan Cultures is on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus, 801 E. Durango Blvd., a short distance from the Alamo and the River Walk. Regular hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m., Sunday.
Holiday hours are:
- Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day -- closed
- Nov. 27, day after Thanksgiving -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Dec. 5, Family Day -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (activities end at 4 p.m.)
- Dec. 24, Christmas Eve -- 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Dec. 25, Christmas Day -- closed
- Dec. 26-30 -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Dec. 30, New Year's Eve -- 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Jan. 1, New Year's Day -- closed
Admission is $8 for adults (ages 12-64); $7 for seniors (ages 65 and over); $6 for children (ages 3-11); free with membership, UTSA or Alamo Colleges identification.
For more information, call 210-458-2300 or visit the Institute of Texan Cultures Web site.
Events
Join us for an engaging conversation with President Eighmy to learn more about UTSA’s progress to date on the strategic plan, the goals of the mid-point refresh process and its importance to the Roadrunner community.
Buena Vista Theater (BV1.326), Downtown CampusJoin us for our annual Winterlude concert series featuring students from across all areas in the School of Music for a half-week of holiday cheer and delight. This three-day celebration continues to showcase both contemporary and traditional holiday works and will include performances by the UTSA Orchestra, Choirs, Bands, Jazz Ensemble, Lyric Theatre, and Dance Studio.
Recital Hall, Main CampusJoin us for our annual Winterlude concert series featuring students from across all areas in the School of Music for a half-week of holiday cheer and delight. This three-day celebration continues to showcase both contemporary and traditional holiday works and will include performances by the UTSA Orchestra, Choirs, Bands, Jazz Ensemble, Lyric Theatre, and Dance Studio.
Recital Hall, Main CampusLavender Graduation is a celebration of the academic accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ students. Students are given a stole to wear for Commencement showing their pride. This is a validation and celebration of each student and their identity. The Lavender Student Leadership Award is presented during the celebration.
Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28,) Main CampusJoin us for our annual Winterlude concert series featuring students from across all areas in the School of Music for a half-week of holiday cheer and delight. This three-day celebration continues to showcase both contemporary and traditional holiday works and will include performances by the UTSA Orchestra, Choirs, Bands, Jazz Ensemble, Lyric Theatre, and Dance Studio.
Recital Hall, Main CampusOne of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, Ujima stands for collective work and responsibility. This graduation celebration honors Black students and their academic accomplishments. Students are given a custom stole to remind them to continue to work collectively to better the communities in which they work and live. The UJIMA Student Leadership Award is presented during the celebration.
HEB Student Union Ballrooms, Main CampusThe Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will take place for doctoral graduates at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 8, in the H-E-B Student Union Ballrooms (HSU 1.104).
H-E-B Student Union Ballroom (HSU 1.104,) Main Campus
