Press Release
Colossal light murals tell the Christmas story with U.S. debut of Luxmuralis Dec. 17 – 19, 2020
This free drive-along event spreads a message of peace
(Saint Paul, Minn.) Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger is a free drive-along December holiday event, using the
Cathedral of Saint Paul as a canvas on which to tell the story of Christmas. This large-scale light and sound
projection marks the U.S. debut by award-winning British company, Luxmuralis. The show, offered without
charge by the Cathedral Heritage Foundation as its gift to the Twin Cities community, runs 12 minutes and will
be shown on a continuous loop from 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 17 – 19, 2020, on the eastern (front) façade of the
Cathedral, 239 Selby Ave., Saint Paul. **Officers from the Saint Paul Police Department will direct traffic oneway heading north along Summit Avenue and allow vehicles to stop temporarily in front of the Cathedral to
watch the show. Spectators must remain in their vehicles at all times to comply with Minnesota Governor Tim
Walz’s executive order 20-99: Four Week Dial Back, and the public should not walk to this event or attend
outside a motor vehicle. Cathedral Illuminated will also be streamed live on the Cathedral Heritage Foundation’s
Facebook page to allow viewers near, far, and around the globe, to experience the monumental art display
shone upon the country’s fifth largest cathedral.
“We are so pleased, thanks to the generosity of our community sponsors, to have Luxmuralis debut in America
on the magnificent east façade of the Cathedral of Saint Paul,” said Mary E. Schaffner, CHF board chair. “Please
join us in sharing the season’s messages of joy and peace on earth as this challenging year draws to a close and
we look forward to the New Year.”
The artwork, titled “The Manger” follows the story of the Nativity using traditional and abstract imagery to take
the audience on a journey to the crib of the infant’s birth, according to the creator and famed sculptor Peter
Walker. An original score by David Harper accompanies the illumination and will be broadcast from Cathedral
Hill Park on hyper-local radio frequency, to be announced.
The show created by Luxmuralis will run concurrently at the Cathedral of Saint Paul and Lichfield Cathedral in
Staffordshire, England, in a symbolic gesture of connection and unity across the globe. “Our Luxmuralis artwork
is designed to present artwork in a way that brings the stories we represent to life, in new and contemporary
ways. They are about showing the most striking images and curating sound and light in such a way that it
reflects back at us the world around us. Each of our Christmas illuminations end on an image that is designed to
bring art history, light and beautiful music to our audiences, from works of the renaissance to images of our
world. This year we are featuring a beautiful stained-glass window, The Black Madonna and Child window from
Our Lady of Assumption in Charlotte (North Carolina) as a finale to the show. The same nativity show will be
displayed at both the Cathedral of St Paul and Lichfield Cathedral in the UK, showing accessibility for all and
unity between our cities, which is key to our artwork,” said Peter Walker, Luxmuralis.
The Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, the Very Reverend Adrian Dorber said at an earlier Luxmuralis event, “Our
cathedrals are amongst our greatest national and international treasures. Cathedrals are at the heart of a
country’s history culture and social fabric, and a testament to its faith. We would all be so much the poorer
without them.”
The word “Luxmuralis” means “light murals,” and the company’s award-winning large-scale projections,
synchronized to original music compositions, regularly attract upwards of 20,000 spectators to events staged
across the U.K. and Europe (in non-COVID times).
Thank you to the following community sponsors whose support enables the Cathedral Heritage Foundation to
present Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger free to the public.
Premier Sponsors: Atomic Data, Larry McGough and McGough Construction, and Premier Bank.
Community Sponsors: Dr. John and Anne Dowdle, Dr. David and Barbara Dries, Heppner’s Auto Body, Stanley S.
Hubbard, Kowalski’s Markets, Minnesota Public Radio, Pioneer Press, Fr. Francis Pouiliot, Saint Paul Parks
Conservancy, Mary Schaffner and Robert Lee, Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association, and Xcel
Energy Minnesota.
For details on how to become a community sponsor, please contact Carolyn Will
[email protected] Donations from the public in any amount are also gratefully accepted. To
donate, visit the CHF website online.
**GETTING TO CATHEDRAL ILLUMINATED
SPPD will manage traffic as vehicles travel one way in front of the Cathedral along Summit Avenue. Vehicles will
be allowed to pause in front of the Cathedral to see the 12-minute show.
FROM THE NORTH, EAST AND WEST – Take Hwy 94 to Dale Street, and head north. Turn left onto Summit
Avenue and follow signs to the Cathedral.
FROM THE SOUTH – Take Hwy 35E north to the Grand Avenue exit and turn left (west) onto Grand Ave/Ramsey
Hill. At the top of Ramsey Hill, turn right onto Summit Avenue and follow signs to the Cathedral
NOTE – Selby Avenue will be closed at Western Avenue to east-bound traffic. West-bound traffic along Selby
Avenue will be permitted. Residents of the area will be allowed access in both directions.
The Cathedral Heritage Foundation is a non-profit, non-sectarian, historic preservation, cultural and arts
organization established to preserve, restore, and enhance the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
Directions
The Cathedral Heritage Foundation will host British award-winning light and sound company, Luxmuralis, in its American debut, Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger.
Our Cathedral of Saint Paul exterior will be bathed in light and sound to reveal a story of peace and joy.
Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 17-19, 2020
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
*Viewing from your car along Summit Avenue
WHO:
Luxmuralis is an award-winning projection art company based in
Lichfield, England with illumination by artist Peter Walker and music by
David Harper. Their shows regularly draw crowds of 20,000 throughout the UK and Europe. This will be their
first project in the U.S.
WHAT:
The Cathedral Heritage Foundation is seeking sponsorship partners in order to offer this at no cost to the
public. The CHF is a nonprofit 501(c)3, nonreligious foundation that supports the Cathedral’s art, music and
cultural activities as well as supporting preservation of the historic landmark building. Given the hilltop setting
of the Cathedral, the light show will broadcast a message of joy through the dark winter night for miles
around. We will also stream it live on CHF and CSP Facebook pages.
DETAILS:
Our goal is to raise $75,000 to cover expenses for this three-day event. Funds will be applied towards the
artist’s fee and live production, viewing set-up, city park fees, security, event management and promotions,
insurance, and other general support, enabling CHF to present this gift to the community. (Line-item budget
provided upon request.)
Donations may be made securely through the CHF website online, or by mailing a check to
Paula Norris, Cathedral Heritage Foundation, PO Box 40027, Saint Paul, MN 55104 Ph. 952-835-2275
DEAR SPONSORS:
Donors at the $10,000 level and above will be listed
on screen during the live streamed event. All
sponsors will be added to banners outside the
Cathedral, and named on newsletters, posters,
flyers, social media & website.
A message from CHF Board Chair Mary E. Schaffner:
“CHF is thrilled to have Luxmuralis debut in America
on the magnificent east façade of the Cathedral of
Saint Paul. Our presentation will run concurrently
with the Lichfield Cathedral in England, building a
bridge of unity for 2021. Please join us in sharing the
Season’s messages of Joy and Peace on Earth as a
challenging year draws to a close and we look
forward to the New Year.”
*Viewing of the 12-minute show will also be livestreamed on Facebook/CathedralHeritageFoundation. The show will be on a continuous loop for three hours. We are following #StaySafeMN guidelines and all viewing will be from inside vehicles.
