Callanwolde Plans 12 Days of Christmas Festivities

By Susan Summers

The joy of the holiday season begins at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center with Christmas at Callanwolde, a spectacular 12-day event.

Christmas at Callanwolde celebrates the holidays from December 7 through 18, 2012. The 27,000 square-foot historic mansion is transformed by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers. Period furniture, designer treasures, fine art and breathtaking Christmas trees reflect a classic English Christmas reminiscent of the glorious era when the Candler family lived in the mansion. The 1920’s Gothic Tudor landmark was the home of Coca-Cola heir Charles Howard Candler and his family.

Staff and volunteers team together to create this spectacular holiday event. Volunteer Jerry W. Poole, Christmas at Callanwolde Chairman and past president of the Callanwolde Foundation, leads 12 different interior design groups who provide their talents pro-bono as they deck the halls and rooms with seasonal charm.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy touring the magnificent mansion as well as the Conservatory, home of Charming ARTifacts, where Callanwolde instructors and students showcase and sell their works of fine art and crafts throughout the event. Christmas at Callanwolde offers a variety of opportunities to celebrate the season with festive family activities, entertaining cabaret nights, holiday shopping and majestic music played on the Aeolian pipe organ.

Highlights include:

• Themed Rooms by Atlanta’s Top Interior & Floral Designers
• Breakfast with Santa – Saturdays Dec. 8 & 15 at 9 a.m. (by advance reservation only)
• Teddy Bear Tea – Sundays Dec. 9 & 16 at 3 p.m. (by advance reservation only)
• Charming ARTifacts – Callanwolde Artists' Sale - throughout the event
• Cabaret Nights – Fridays, Dec. 7 & 14; 6 – 9 p.m.
• Aeolian Pipe Organ – throughout the event
• Cook’s Warehouse Presentations – Saturdays, Dec. 8 & 15 at 11 am; Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 pm

Christmas at Callanwolde Hours: December 7 through 18, 2012

Weekdays and Saturdays: 10 am – 4 pm; Sundays: 11 am – 6 pm; Evening Hours Fridays: 4 – 9 pm

Tickets: Adults: $20; Seniors: $15; Children Ages 4 – 12: $12; Children 3 and under: Free. Special events may include an additional fee. Tickets may be purchased online at www.christmasatcallanwolde.org

Where: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306  (404)-872-5338.

Parking:
Mondays through Thursdays: Free on-site parking.
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: Free parking and free shuttle bus service one-half mile north at Emory University Briarcliff Campus, 1256 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30306. Bus service begins at 9:30 am and runs continuously.

Presented by: The Coca-Cola Company | Lenz | Point of Vision

The Christmas at Callanwolde event serves as the major annual fundraiser benefitting the continuing operation of the nationally acclaimed Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, a non-profit organization providing arts programs including classes and performing arts that enrich the greater Atlanta community year-round. For more information visit: http://www.callanwolde.org

Special Events

Premiere Party: By advance reservation only. Thursday, December 6; 6 to 9 pm. $75/person
Preview the historic mansion and meet the talented designers while enjoying live entertainment by jazz vocalist Gwen Hughes, with festive gourmet delights by The Dining Group. Holiday shopping includes Nature’s Designs and the Callanwolde artists’ Charming ARTifacts market. Tickets may be purchased online at www.christmasatcallanwolde.org or Callanwolde's administrative offices: 404-872-5338 ext 240. Attire: Business/Cocktail.

Breakfast with Santa: By advance reservation only - $20 per person (Includes general admission)
Saturdays, Dec. 8 & 15 at 9 am in the Courtyard.
Featuring kid-friendly breakfast provided by Chick-fil-A, sing-a-longs and a visit with Santa. Online advance reservations only. Tickets may be purchased online at ChristmasatCallanwolde.org. Breakfast with Santa is sponsored by Abbott Brown Wealth Management.

Teddy Bear Tea: By advance reservation only - $25 per person (Includes general admission)
Sundays, Dec. 9 & 16 at 3 pm in the Courtyard.

Charming tabletops, tea and hot chocolate, sandwiches, pastries, sing-a-longs and a visit with Santa will highlight this delightful afternoon for families. Online advance reservations only. Tickets may be purchased online at ChristmasatCallanwolde.org.

Callanwolde Cabaret 

Friday nights, December 7 and December 14. Admission is included with your General Admission ticket for the day.

Enjoy holiday happy hour from 6 to 9 pm during special extended evening hours. Light refreshments will be served and wine will be available for purchase. Live cabaret performances will add to the festivities featuring Atlanta’s favorite vocalists Marsha DuPree on December 7 and Libby Whittemore December 14.

The Historic Aeolian Organ

Majestic sounds ring through the house as skilled organists play seasonal music on the historic 3,742 Aeolian pipe organ. The mansion will come alive daily with a variety of holiday music designed to lift your spirits and welcome the holiday season.

The Callan Café

This is a relaxing place where visitors can enjoy a variety of festive hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, pastries and snacks. Don’t miss the special tree decorations made by Winship Cancer Institute patients in a collaborative outreach program with Callanwolde.

Charming ARTifacts - Callanwolde Artists’ Studio

Held in the Conservatory (Greenhouse) throughout the event, Callanwolde instructors and students will showcase and sell their unique works of fine art and crafts. Find beautiful handmade items for yourself or as gifts for friends and family.

Nature’s Design

Design and the beauty of nature meet. Create a signature style for your home with elegant, permanent botanicals, designer arrangements and seasonal ornaments. You'll find sensational designer arrangements, unique stocking stuffers, ornaments and gifts for the home by Nature's Design in the Petite Hall on the 2nd floor, throughout the event.

Rosemary Knoll Eatable Delights
Something special for your holiday table. Classic food items with a twist using all fresh ingredients including relishes, spreads, nuts, jellies and fudge bars.

Gingerbread Houses

Unique one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses, decorated  with candy, will be for sale in the Petite hall throughout the event

About the Callanwolde Mansion
The magnificent Gothic-Tudor mansion, set on 12.5 acres in Atlanta’s Druid Hills neighborhood, was built in 1920 as the home of Charles Howard Candler, eldest son of The Coca-Cola Company founder, Asa Candler. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire 27,000 square foot mansion is centered around a large, courtyard that has recently been enclosed. The attention to fine detail in the home is evident in the excellent craftsmanship of the walnut paneling, stained glass windows, bronze balustrades, the artistry of the delicate ceiling and fireplace reliefs and the pierced tracery concealing the Aeolian organ chambers.

Thanks to our sponsors and contributors:

Abbott Brown Wealth Management | Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau | Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles | Atlanta INtown | Anonymous | Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC | Buckhead Coach | The Candler Family | CBS Outdoor | Center Cut Catering | Chick-fil-A DeKalb County | The Cook's Warehouse | Dancing Goat Films | DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau | A Divine Event | Mr. and Mrs. Bruce K. Edwards | Epps Aviation | Fernbank Museum | Fidelity Bank | J and D Images, LLC | Jim Ellis Audi | LandingStar Presents | Pike Nurseries | Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Poole | Publix Super Markets Charities | Sherlock's Wine Merchants | Turner Enterprises, Inc. | WABE FM 90.1 | Ms. Libby Whittemore | Winship Cancer Institute